Wicked actress slams ‘crude and hurtful comments’ about Nessarose’s disability

Interpreter of Nessarose in Wicked (2024), Marissa Bode received regrettable backlash over the disability of her character, who appears in one of the most successful films of the year. According to the actress, the ableist comments are “rude and harmful.”

It’s worth remembering how Bode is also a wheelchair user in real life. The actress went to TikTokin a video published last Friday, 29, addresses the hateful comments he received due to the film, starring Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and directed by Jon M. Chu. On social media, she explained that it is “absolutely normal to not like a fictional character,” but what was said was deeply hurtful.

“I will admit my bias in the sense that I have many different feelings about Nessa towards many of you, and that’s okay. I think Nessa is complex, but that’s the beauty of art,” he said. “Wicked and these characters and the movie wouldn’t be what they were if there weren’t different opinions about the characters and who is truly evil or not. And not liking Nessa herself is okay. Because she’s fictional, that’s fine.”

Right away, Marissa Bode said he is a “profoundly unserious person” and doesn’t mind “silly, silly and harmless” jokes about his personality. Nessarosebut “aggressive” comments about her disability were “uncomfortable.”

“Disability is not fictional. At the end of the day, I, MarissaI’m the person who is still disabled and in a wheelchair,” he continued. “And so, it’s simply low-hanging fruit that many of you feel comfortable taking.”

Even before being cast WickedI received comments – just like me, like Marissano Nessa – around the words ‘defend yourself’, ‘I don’t think you can stand him’, etc. These comments are not original, and when these jokes are made by non-disabled strangers with the joke of not being able to walk, it’s more like laughing at rather than laughing with.

Then, Goat talked about the fact that she was the first wheelchair user to play Nessarose in Wicked (whether in theaters or on stage): “This goes far beyond me, Marissajust need to ignore the comments on the internet. These comments do not exist in a vacuum. Aggressive comments of wanting to cause harm and pushing Nessa out of her wheelchair, or that she deserves her disability, are two very rude and hurtful comments that people with real disabilities, myself included, have heard before.”

Lastly, I want to say that one of the main themes of ‘Wicked’ is having the ability to listen and understand each other. And I really hope that this is something that many of you can practice more and take with you.

@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 abilityism. 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