“Wicked star” Marissa Bode slams ableism and harmful jokes about disability

As Wicked continues to soar at the box office, one of its stars, Marissa Bode, has bravely addressed an issue that has surfaced alongside the film's success: the rise of hurtful jokes and comments about her character, Nessarose, and the actress's own disability. On November 28, Bode took to TikTok to share her frustration and call out the ableism she has encountered, particularly centered around her portrayal of a disabled character in the musical.

In her emotional post, Bode reflected on the damaging nature of comments that target her disability, clarifying that, while she has no issue with jokes about the fictional aspects of her role as Nessarose, disability itself is not fictional. "At the end of the day, me, Marissa, is the person that is still disabled and in a wheelchair," she said, addressing the cruelty of some online humor.

Bode expressed her belief that mocking her disability, or that of her character, is a form of "low-hanging fruit" that people are too comfortable with. She pointed out that these jokes are harmful because they perpetuate a narrative where disabled individuals are easy targets. "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," Bode shared.

The actress also highlighted the deeper societal impact of such jokes. "When these jokes are being made by non-disabled strangers, with a punchline of not being able to walk, it very much feels like laughing at rather than laughing with," Bode explained. As someone who considers herself a "deeply unserious" person with a love for humor, she admitted that this particular type of mockery crosses a line.

Bode's TikTok post also touched on the broader culture of ableism and the challenges faced by disabled individuals who speak out against it. She recalled seeing disabled peers face harsh backlash when they chose to challenge ableist comments, often being told to "stop complaining" or "just take a joke." This pressure to remain silent is one of the reasons Bode feels compelled to speak up. She acknowledged the discomfort her message might cause but stressed that true progress can only be achieved when people are willing to engage in uncomfortable conversations.

As a 24-year-old actress, Bode shared that these comments and jokes would have impacted her more deeply when she was younger. "That’s part of why I’m speaking out — for younger people who may be hurt more by what they’re seeing," she said, encouraging others to understand the impact their words can have.

One of the key messages of Wicked is empathy — listening to and understanding others, especially those who may be marginalized. Bode called on fans and viewers to take this lesson to heart, particularly in their treatment of disabled individuals. "I truly hope that is something a lot of you can practice more and take with you," she urged.

The actress concluded by offering a path toward change, urging non-disabled people to "do the work" and "unlearn your own ableism." She suggested methods such as reading up on the disability rights movement, getting to know more disabled individuals, and even watching the documentary Crip Camp as ways to gain a better understanding.

While acknowledging that her video might not resonate with everyone, Bode emphasized that discomfort is part of the growth process. "True progress never comes with comfort. And that’s okay," she said.

As Wicked continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Bode’s courage in speaking out against harmful jokes and promoting empathy and understanding serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation, respect, and kindness both on and off the screen.