‘Wicked’ Actor Addresses Ableist Fan Reactions: ‘It’s Low-Hanging Fruit That Many Accept’

Marissa Bode’s Empowering Role in the Wicked Movie

The anticipation surrounding the Wicked film adaptation has reached a fever pitch, with audiences flocking to theaters to experience the cinematic rendition of the iconic Broadway musical. A standout performance comes from Marissa Bode, who has made her film debut as Nessarose, a character traditionally portrayed as using a wheelchair. This marks a historic moment; for the first time, Nessarose is being played by an actress who shares this lived experience.

Challenges Faced by Bode

Despite the excitement, Bode’s journey has encountered setbacks due to negative interactions with some audience members. Recently, she took to TikTok to address troubling jokes made about her character’s disability, emphasizing that mocking this aspect, regardless of the character’s development in the story, is inappropriate. “It is absolutely okay to not like a fictional character,” she asserted. “I have a lot of different feelings about Nessa than a lot of you do, and that’s totally fine.”

The Importance of Respect and Representation

Unfortunately, some fans have taken their critiques further by using Bode’s real-life disability as fodder for derogatory jokes aimed at the character. Bode articulated, “Aggressive comments and jokes about Nessa’s disability itself are deeply uncomfortable, because disability is not fictional.” She further explained that it diminishes the seriousness of her reality. “At the end of the day, I, Marissa, am the person who is still disabled and in a wheelchair,” she stated, highlighting the disrespect in such remarks.

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“Representation is important, but that alone won’t uplift the disabled community. I urge non-disabled individuals to engage critically with their own biases, listen to disabled voices, and educate themselves on the disability rights movement.” The challenges may be uncomfortable, but she believes that true progress often requires stepping outside of one’s comfort zone.
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♬ original sound – Marissa

Bode Reflects on Personal Experiences with Ableism

Throughout her life, Bode has encountered ableist comments even before her casting in Wicked. She recounted receiving remarks like “stand up for yourself,” which highlight a troubling societal trend of making light of disabilities. “It feels like laughing at rather than laughing with,” she remarked, indicating how these comments fail to respect her identity.

Creating Change Through Awareness

Despite feeling apprehensive about vocalizing her concerns, Bode recognized the necessity of addressing these issues head-on. She encountered derogatory terms, such as “vegetable,” directed at her character, and observed how others in the disabled community feel pressured to endure such jokes without complaint. “This is not just a joke; it’s damaging,” she emphasized, urging the need for supportive conversations about ableism.

Inspiration and Moving Forward

Bode’s courageous message sheds light on the importance of authenticity and respect within portrayals of disability. While it’s unfortunate that her eloquent advocacy against ableism was needed, her role as Nessarose offers hope and inspiration for future generations, demonstrating that representation can empower and transform perceptions.

To learn more about Bode’s advocacy and representation, you can read further from sources like People.

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