'Wicked' Star Marissa Bode Condemns 'Harmful' Ableist Remarks About Her Character

Marissa Bode, known for her role in "Wicked," is calling for compassion after facing ableist remarks on social media. On Saturday, she shared a video on TikTok, expressing that despite her usual light-hearted nature, she's been subjected to "disgusting and damaging" comments concerning her character's disability since "Wicked" premiered.

Bode, who navigates life in a wheelchair, portrays Nessarose, Elphaba's (played by Cynthia Erivo) sister, in the movie adaptation. The intricate dynamic between the sisters has sparked fervent reactions online. The film diverges somewhat from the stage musical, particularly in its depiction of the siblings' narrative.

She conveyed to her audience that disliking a character is fine, yet she finds the "hostile remarks and jests about Nessa’s disability" disturbing, as "disability is not a figment of imagination."

"When these quips come from non-disabled individuals, centering on mobility as the punchline, it feels more like mockery than shared amusement," she noted. Comments suggesting harm, such as "pushing Nessa out of her wheelchair" or claiming she "deserves her disability," are particularly vile and reminiscent of what real disabled individuals, including herself, have encountered.

Bode acknowledged that these "jokes stem from ignorance," but she's speaking out, partly to shield younger people who might be more vulnerable to such negativity.

She pleaded for kindness and referenced a moral from "Wicked." "A central lesson in 'Wicked' is the importance of listening and understanding one another," she remarked. "I genuinely hope many of you will embrace and embody this principle.