By MyLifeTipsHub
Marissa Bode, the actress behind Nessarose in the upcoming Wicked film, is confronting ableism head-on after receiving troubling online comments about her character’s disability. In a TikTok video, Bode, 24, the first wheelchair user to portray Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) younger sister, shared her discomfort with the jokes and remarks about Nessarose’s disability.
Bode expressed that ableist comments, particularly those that mock or diminish her character’s disability, are hurtful and damaging. “Disability is not fictional,” she said, adding, “At the end of the day, I, Marissa, am still disabled and in a wheelchair. It’s simply a low-hanging fruit that too many are comfortable picking.”
The actress also condemned harmful comments about pushing Nessarose out of her wheelchair or suggesting she deserves her disability. “Those are gross and harmful remarks that real disabled people, including myself, have heard before,” she said, emphasizing that these comments echo real-world ableism faced by individuals with disabilities.
Bode, who portrays Nessarose in the first film of the Wicked two-part adaptation, noted how her character’s role in the musical, especially in the second act, is pivotal. In the movie, Nessarose connects with Boq (Ethan Slater), a Munchkin, and shares an emotional dance with him. However, the online jokes made about her disability have overshadowed the true essence of her character.
She described how these comments often reduce her disability to a punchline. “It feels like people are laughing at, rather than laughing with,” she explained, adding that the most “frustrating” part of the experience is the fear of speaking out. “I was literally shaking a little bit while recording the video,” she admitted, revealing the vulnerability she felt in calling attention to ableism.
Bode reflected on the personal toll that speaking out can take, especially for disabled individuals. “I’ve seen what happens to disabled people who are outspoken online against ableism,” she said, acknowledging the potential backlash. The actress, who has faced criticism for her disability long before her Wicked role, recorded the video to speak directly to her younger self, as well as to others who may be in a similar vulnerable position.
Her message to those dismissing her criticisms was clear: listen to the voices of those affected by such jokes. “One of the major themes in Wicked is the importance of listening and understanding each other,” she concluded. “I hope that’s something more people can practice and take with them.”
Bode’s TikTok received an outpouring of support, with many applauding her bravery and sharing their own experiences. One user commented, “As a girl that’s also disabled, thank you for bringing this up,” while another expressed their sympathy, writing, “I’m so sorry this even has to be said.”
Bode’s journey as an actress began at the age of 8, and despite being paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident when she was 11, she continued to pursue her passion for performing. Reflecting on her perseverance, she said, “It always seemed strange to me that people thought it was so remarkable that I didn’t give up. My thought was always, ‘Why would I?’”
Bode also addressed society’s view of disability, saying that it’s often seen as a limitation. “Instead of looking at someone with a disability and thinking they can’t do something, it’s about creating spaces and saying, ‘You’re welcome here.’”
Marissa Bode will reprise her role as Nessarose in Wicked: Part Two, which is set to hit theaters in November 2025.
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