The highly anticipated Broadway-to-film adaptation of Wicked has taken the world by storm since its release on November 22. The movie, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, has already become the holiday season’s biggest hit. But while the film has earned praise for its star-studded cast and stunning visuals, not everything surrounding the production has been magical. For actress Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose, the experience has been tarnished by hateful online attacks.
Related: Cynthia Erivo Speaks Out Against Racist Edits on New Wicked Poster
In Wicked, Nessarose is the younger sister of Elphaba, and her character’s disability plays a significant role in the story. Portrayed authentically by Bode, who herself uses a wheelchair, Nessarose’s narrative showcases themes of jealousy, heartbreak, and the complexity of sibling relationships. Despite the character’s flaws, Bode’s performance is nuanced and heartfelt—a sentiment not shared by all audience members.
Recently, Bode took to TikTok to address the backlash she’s faced, much of which has veered into deeply personal territory. While some criticism was directed toward her portrayal of the character, many comments targeted Bode herself, ridiculing her disability.
In the TikTok video, Bode explained,
“It is absolutely OK to not like a fictional character. I am going to be admitting my bias in the way that I have a lot of different feelings on Nessa than a lot of you do, and that’s totally fine. I think Nessa is complex, but that’s the beauty of art. Wicked and these characters and the movie wouldn’t be what it was if there weren’t different opinions on the characters and who’s truly wicked or not.”
Unfortunately, what began as discourse about the character soon devolved into hateful attacks. Some comments mocked Bode for her inability to walk, while others took it further, suggesting she “deserved her disability” or expressing violent intentions like pushing her out of her wheelchair. These remarks reveal a shocking level of cruelty from online trolls, many of whom are strangers hiding behind anonymity.
@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 💗💚
“Disability is not fictional. At the end of the day, me, Marissa, is the person that is still disabled and in a wheelchair,” Bode shared in the video. “It is simply a low-hanging fruit that too many of you are comfortable taking. These comments do not exist in a vacuum. Aggressive comments of wanting to cause harm and push Nessa out of her wheelchair, or that she deserves her disability, are two very gross and harmful comments that real disabled people, including myself, have heard before.”
This isn’t the first time disabled performers have faced such hostility. Bode acknowledged the broader impact of these attacks, sharing that many disabled content creators have stepped away from public platforms due to the relentless negativity. “This goes far beyond me, Marissa, just needing to ignore comments on the internet,” she emphasized.
Despite the challenges, Bode’s casting as the first disabled actress to play Nessarose is a significant step forward in representation. Her performance highlights the importance of authentic storytelling and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in mainstream media.
As Wicked continues to dominate box offices and spark conversations, Bode’s courage in speaking out against ableism is a reminder of the work still needed to create an inclusive and respectful space for all. The film’s legacy will undoubtedly include its groundbreaking representation, but it also raises questions about how society treats those who bring these stories to life.
Who is your favorite character in Wicked? How do you think actors should handle trolls who attack them personally because of their character? Share your thoughts in the comments!
