Marissa Bode Slams Ableist Jokes About Her ‘Wicked’ Role

As Wicked continues its record-breaking run at the box office, one of its stars, Marissa Bode, is calling out ableist comments and harmful jokes targeting her role as Nessarose. Bode, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair, took to TikTok to address the wave of inappropriate remarks she’s seen online since the film’s release.

In her heartfelt post, Bode clarified that she’s not upset about criticism of the fictional character or her performance. What she can’t accept are comments that mock her disability. “Disability is not fictional,” she said. “At the end of the day, me, Marissa, is the person that is still disabled and in a wheelchair.”

Bode pointed to specific examples, including people joking about harming her character or suggesting Nessarose “deserves her disability.” For her, these comments are more than just words—they reflect a broader societal issue. “These jokes do not exist in a vacuum,” she explained, adding that such remarks perpetuate harmful stereotypes and attitudes about disabled people.

The actress acknowledged the toll that such comments take, particularly on younger disabled individuals who might feel more vulnerable. “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,” she said.

Bode also admitted her frustration and fear about speaking out, knowing the backlash others have faced when addressing ableism online. “I have seen firsthand what has happened to my disabled peers,” she said, citing derogatory remarks and dismissive responses like “stop complaining” or “just take a joke.”

Despite the risks, Bode felt compelled to use her platform to promote understanding and empathy. She urged non-disabled people to embrace one of Wicked’s central themes: listening and understanding. “One of the major themes within Wicked is having the ability to listen and to understand one another,” she said. “And I truly hope that is something a lot of you can practice more and take with you.”

To help others unlearn ableism, she encouraged viewers to educate themselves by engaging with disabled communities, reading about disability rights, and watching documentaries like Crip Camp. Though she acknowledged her video might not sit well with everyone, Bode remained firm in her belief that progress requires discomfort. “True progress never comes with comfort. And that’s okay,” she concluded.