Marissa Bode, the actress who plays Nessarose in the new film adaptation of Wicked, has spoken out about the hurtful and ableist comments targeting her character’s disability. Bode, who uses a wheelchair both on and off-screen, addressed the issue in a TikTok video, expressing how uncomfortable and painful it is to see jokes about her character’s disability.
Bode, 24, is the first wheelchair user to portray Nessarose, the younger sister of Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo. In the film, Nessarose is a key character, especially in the second act, where she forms a relationship with Boq, a Munchkin, and shares an emotional dance with him.
Addressing the Harmful Comments
In her TikTok video, Bode made it clear that while it’s fine for people to dislike a fictional character, the jokes about Nessarose’s disability cross a line. “Aggressive comments and ‘jokes’ about Nessa’s disability are deeply uncomfortable because disability is not fictional,” Bode stated. She emphasized that, despite her role as an actress, she is still a disabled person in real life and that such comments target real experiences.
Bode shared how some of the jokes have gone beyond simple humor, with harmful comments suggesting things like pushing Nessarose out of her wheelchair or claiming that she “deserves her disability.” These types of comments, she explained, are not just offensive—they are familiar to disabled people, including herself.
A Call for Sensitivity and Understanding
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Bode further explained that the hurtful comments often come from people who don’t live with disabilities. “When these jokes are being made by nondisabled strangers with a punchline of not being able to walk, it very much feels like laughing at rather than laughing with,” she said, urging people to think about how these remarks can affect those with disabilities.
Despite the discomfort she felt, Bode pushed forward with her message, urging fans to be more thoughtful and considerate. “Rather than dismissing one another and claiming an experience can’t be true, listen to the people it affects and how it makes them feel,” she said. She added that while she understood these jokes were often made out of ignorance, it’s crucial for people to be more mindful and compassionate.
Facing the Fear of Speaking Out
One of the most significant challenges for Bode was her fear of speaking out. As someone who is part of the disabled community, she expressed concern about the backlash that could come from addressing ableism publicly. She recognized that many of her disabled peers who have spoken up about similar issues have faced harsh criticism and online bullying.
Despite her fears, Bode remained firm in her message, reinforcing that everyone deserves respect. She closed her video by echoing one of the core themes of Wicked: the importance of listening to and understanding one another. She encouraged her followers to apply this message in their interactions with disabled people and others.
Moving Forward
Bode’s comments serve as a reminder that disability is not something to be ridiculed or used as a punchline. As the first wheelchair user to play Nessarose in Wicked, her experience both in the film and in real life highlights the importance of promoting kindness, empathy, and respect toward people with disabilities.
Bode’s call for change is clear: by listening to those who are directly affected by ableism and respecting their experiences, society can begin to build a more inclusive and understanding world. In her own words, “Please be kind.”