First-time actress in a wheelchair, Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose in “Wicked,” has responded to online jokes targeting her character's disability.
A necessary clarification. Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose, Elphaba's younger sister in Jon M. Chu's film adaptation of “Wicked,” has spoken out against negative comments about her disability since the film's release in Australia, United States and Canada in November.
In a five-minute TikTok video, the actress said: “It’s completely normal to not like a fictional character. I'm going to admit my bias, because I have very different feelings about Nessa than many of you, and that's completely normal. I think Nessa is complex, but that's the beauty of art. “Wicked,” its characters, and the movie wouldn’t be what they are if there weren’t different opinions about the characters and who is truly evil or not. And not liking Nessa herself is completely normal. Because it is fictitious, it is completely normal.
@marissa_edob Representation is important but that’s not the only thing that will save the disabled community. I need a lot of y’all (non-disabled people) to do the work. To dissect and unlearn your own ableism. Listen to disabled people. Follow other disabled people outside of just me. Read up on the disability rights movement/watch the documentary Crip Camp! I understand no one likes feeling like they’re being scolded. But true progress never comes with comfort. And that’s ok. #wicked #nessa ♬ original sound – Marissa
The comedian explained that she was not offended by “stupid, ridiculous and harmless” jokes about her character's actions or personality, given that the character was fictional. However, she strongly condemned Nessa's “aggressive” disability-related comments and jokes, calling the remarks “deeply embarrassing” and inappropriate. “Disability is not fictitious. At the end of the day, it's me, Marissa, who is still disabled and in a wheelchair. These mockeries then become an easy target that too many people allow themselves to target,” she stressed.
The actress added many of these comments were from “non-disabled strangers with a downfall of not being able to walk”, making it “feel like you're laughing at, rather than laughing with” someone. “This goes way beyond me, Marissa, just ignoring the comments on the internet. These comments do not exist in a vacuum. Aggressive comments that want to hurt and push Nessa out of her wheelchair, or that she deserves her disability, are two very rude and harmful comments that real disabled people, including myself, have heard before. explained the star.
-“One of the major themes of 'Wicked' is the ability to understand each other.”
Admitting that she sometimes felt frightened by people's reactions, particularly given the plight of other disabled people who spoke out against ableism, Marissa Bode urged “Wicked” viewers to empathize and avoid to minimize the experiences of others.
“Luckily, I'm at a place in my life now where I can recognize that these disability jokes are made out of ignorance. I couldn't have said the same about Marissa 10 years ago, and it would have had a lot more impact on my younger self, and I fear that a younger version of myself is somewhere on Internet and be hurt by these comments.
To conclude, the actress recalled a central message of the film : “Finally, I want to say that one of the major themes of “Wicked” is the ability to listen and understand one another. And I really hope that this is something that many of you can practice more and take with you.”
Since its theatrical release, the first part of the big screen remake of the musical has broken several records, including the best box office debut for a Broadway musical adaptation. “Wicked: Part II” is scheduled to release on November 26, 2025.
