‘Wicked’ star Marissa Bode speaks out against ableist comments
Actress Marissa Bode Calls for Kindness After Facing Ableist Comments
“Wicked” actress Marissa Bode is speaking out against ableist comments she has received on social media, urging for kindness and understanding.
In a recent video posted on her TikTok page, Bode addressed the harmful comments she has faced regarding her character’s disability in the movie “Wicked.” As an actress who uses a wheelchair, Bode plays the role of Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister, in the film adaptation of the popular musical.
Bode expressed her disappointment in the aggressive and insensitive jokes made about her character’s disability, emphasizing that disability is not a fictional concept to be mocked. She highlighted the disturbing nature of comments suggesting harm towards her character, stating that such remarks can be deeply hurtful to real-life individuals with disabilities.
While acknowledging that these comments may stem from ignorance, Bode emphasized the importance of addressing ableism and promoting empathy, especially for younger audiences who may be influenced by such harmful rhetoric.
Encouraging her followers to practice kindness and understanding, Bode referenced a key theme from “Wicked” about listening and empathizing with others. She emphasized the need for non-disabled individuals to educate themselves on ableism, listen to disabled voices, and actively support the disability rights movement.
