Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose in the upcoming Wicked film adaption, is speaking out against the ableist hate she has received online. In an emotional five-minute TikTok video, the actress addressed insulting remarks about her character’s disabilities. Bode, who is disabled, advised people to approach talks regarding disability with more compassion and respect.
While Bode accepted that criticizing fictional characters is acceptable, she took a firm stance on statements insulting or demeaning disability. “Aggressive comments and jokes about Nessa’s disability are deeply uncomfortable because disability is not fictional,” Bode told me. She noted that such insults have real-world implications for disabled people.
Nessarose, Elphaba’s younger sister (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo), is a paraplegic in the Wicked narrative. In the film, her character temporarily obtains the ability to walk by wearing magical shoes. However, this storyline point has allegedly provoked inappropriate online jokes and criticism. According to Bode, some of the more hurtful remarks include statements that Nessarose “deserves her disability” and demands that she be physically removed from her wheelchair.
Bode noted that these remarks are more than just innocent jokes; they reflect detrimental views that disabled people face regularly. She also emphasized the broader consequences of such abuse, stating that it inhibits handicapped creators from speaking up. “I’ve seen what happens to my disabled peers who call out ableism online,” she told me. “Many are driven away by relentless negativity.”
The actress related her message to one of Wicked’s key themes: empathy and understanding. “One of the major themes in Wicked is the ability to listen and understand one another,” she said, encouraging spectators to have more deliberate and courteous conversations.
Bode’s film has sparked discussions about the issues that disabled people experience in media representation and public debate. Her plea for empathy serves as a reminder of the importance of courteous discussion, both online and offline.
