I HAD TO START OVER- MERCY JOHNSON OPENS UP ABOUT STEPPING AWAY FROM THE SPOTLIGHT

For years, Mercy Johnson was one of Nollywood’s most visible faces.
Her movies played endlessly on television screens. Her performances were quoted, replayed, and celebrated. To many Nigerians, she felt ever-present a constant in an industry that never sleeps.
So when her appearances began to slow down, fans noticed.
At first, there were questions. Then assumptions. Finally, silence.
Now, the actress has spoken and her words reveal a decision rooted not in controversy, but in self-preservation.

“I had to start over,” Mercy shared simply. According to her, stepping away from the spotlight wasn’t about losing passion for acting. It was about recognising that she had been giving so much of herself that there was little left.

Behind the scenes, the pressure was mounting. Balancing fame, family, expectations, and public scrutiny had become overwhelming. The constant demand to show up, stay relevant, and remain visible left little room to breathe.

Choosing to pause wasn’t easy.
Mercy admitted that walking away, even briefly, came with fear, fear of being forgotten, fear of losing momentum, fear of disappointing the people who supported her career. But she realised that continuing without rest would cost her more than stepping back ever could.
What fans are seeing now is a calmer, more grounded version of the actress.
Her recent appearances feel intentional. Her words feel measured. Her focus, she says, is on peace, family, and purpose not pressure.

The response from fans has been overwhelmingly supportive.

Many praised her honesty. Others admitted her story mirrored their own struggles with burnout and expectations.

In an industry where constant visibility is often mistaken for success, Mercy Johnson’s decision is a reminder that sometimes, growth begins with a pause.

And as she starts this new chapter on her own terms, one thing is clear: stepping away did not dim her light it refined it.