Shaffy Bello, Nollywood actress has disclosed that her acting career led to her divorce but added that she does not regret the decision
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigerian actress and dancer, Shaffy Bello has disclosed that her determination to excel in her acting career and make a name in Nollywood led to the eventual breakup of her marriage.
The 50-year-old actress made the revelation in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, saying she had to leave her kids and husband abroad to pursue her dream in Nigeria.
According to the gifted dancer, she felt disgruntled when leaving her family to relocate to Nigeria but said it was ultimately a decision she had to make to have fulfillment in life.
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She also spoke about how she had to leave her job to concentrate on raising her kids, who she eventually left to pursue her career in their teenage years.
She said, “I came back to Nigeria to spread my wings, I felt like I was pregnant and could not have a child just like my wings were sort of closed in and I was boxed in.
“I needed more, my soul needed more, I was yearning for more. I did not know the price that will come with it but I had to make the sacrifice. I paid the price of not having a connection with my children then. My daughter was 13, my son was 11 before I left them.
“But before that, at some point, I quit my job to raise my kids, I sacrificed a lot for them to be nurtured just to leave them in their early teenage years with their father.
“I knew I wanted this career, if I go back, it will be too much of a sacrifice, I wouldn’t be myself and at some point, I will resent my husband so I had to focus on what I wanted.”
On how she coped with the backlash her decision to quit her marriage generated, the actress said she was only concerned about her immediate family and did not bother about side talks.
“I judged myself but I thank God he did it for me this way because it is better for me. I don’t care much about what people say about me but I care more about my children and close family,” she said.
Shaffy Bello went on to say, she ended up divorcing her husband five years ago to stay back in Nigeria and fully focus on her acting career but said the separation was by mutual consent.
“I left my husband because he allowed me. We divorced 5 years ago when I was 45 and that was a huge sacrifice.
“He is a good man and father to the children. The distance affected us; long distance relationship was difficult but I knew I wanted this.”.Shaffy concluded.