The actress Marissa Bode 24, vented on social media after reading several comments that she classifies as “very rude”, “harmful” and “aggressive” against your character in “Wicked”, Nessarose, who has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair (just like the actress in real life).
“It’s absolutely OK to not like a fictional character,” she said in a video posted to her TikTok profile. “I will admit that I am biased and that I have very different feelings about Nessa than many of you, and that is completely 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 about the characters and who is really evil and who isn’t.”
Marissa said she appreciates jokes about Nessarose’s personality or actions, but is uncomfortable with jokes involving her physical disability.
“Disability is not fictitious. At the end of the day, I, Marissa, am the person who has a disability and is in a wheelchair. So, it’s just an easy joke that many of you feel comfortable making,” she said.
“Aggressive comments about wanting to hurt and push Nessa out of her wheelchair, or saying that she deserves her disability, are two very rude and hurtful comments that truly disabled people, including myself, have heard before,” the actress added.
@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 abilityism. 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 ♬ original sound – Marissa
This content was originally published in “Wicked” actress criticizes comments about her character’s disability on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil

I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.