READY, SET, ACTION! Disability Representation in movies: Wicked and Out of My Mind
Hey guys,
November has provided the disability community with two movies with disability Representation—Out of My Mind and Wicked. The disabled characters in these movies are ACTUALLY disabled in real life. WHAT?? I mean, Wow, they are finally listening to us. I call that progress!
Wicked
Let’s start with Wicked. Marissa Bodie was incredible playing Nessarose, the sister of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). If you don’t know who Nessarose is, I’ll tell ya! Nessarose is the one Dorothy’s house falls on in The Wizard of Oz. But in Wicked, Nessarose is so much more than that.
Young Nessarose, portrayed by six-year-old Cesily Collette Taylor, brought joy and charm to the screen with her adorable and heartfelt performance. Filled with cuteness, kindness, and an undeniable sense of hope, Taylor’s portrayal added depth to Nessarose’s story. Having landed the role at just four years old, Collette Taylor, who has spina bifida, was a fantastic addition to this remarkable cast.
As Nessarose grows older, her struggles for independence become a central part of her story. Her father, the Mayor of Munchkinland, and her sister Elphaba, constantly try to protect her, often leaving her frustrated. She wants them to stop doing everything for her and let her figure things out on her own. One of the most powerful moments is when Elphaba uses magic to make Nessarose fly when the professor begins to push her without listening to her. She was angry and frustrated with Elphaba for making a big scene and not allowing her to deal with this situation herself.
Everything changes when Boq, a kind and sweet Munchkin, asks her to the dance. For the first time, Nessarose feels seen and valued. That moment makes her realize she can do anything, and she starts to believe in herself in a way she never has before.
Marissa Bodie’s performance was breathtaking. She captured Nessarose’s struggles, frustrations, and joys so perfectly. It felt real—like she understood what it’s like to fight for independence and be overlooked. When she smiled with Boq, I felt her happiness radiate off the screen!
What makes this even more special is that Marissa Bodie and Cesily Collette Taylor are the first disabled actors to play Nessarose. How amazing is that? Bodie became disabled at age 11 after a car accident, but that didn’t stop her from chasing her dreams. She is openly queer and is vocal about LGBTQ+ and disability rights. She’s been acting since she was 8, starring in school plays like Little Shop of Horrors and Mary Poppins. She even made her own short film, You’re Adorable, in 2021. When she got this role, she was so excited to play this character who everyone loves. Taylor and her family were overjoyed after hearing that she landed the role just like Bodie.
Out of My Mind
Now, let me tell you about Out of My Mind. This movie is based on Sharon M. Draper’s bestselling book and tells the story of Melody Brooks, a nonverbal girl with cerebral palsy. Melody is brilliant, but because she can’t speak, the world underestimates her. The movie is out now on Disney+.
Phoebe-Rae Taylor, who plays Melody, is also disabled, and she absolutely slayed this role. Taylor is 15 years old and has cerebral palsy, just like her character. She is from England and attends high school. Taylor had never thought about acting before this role, and she loved playing and capturing the essence of Melody. She seems like a pro for someone who never thought of acting as her career! She did amazing!!
Melody uses assistive technology to speak and express herself throughout the film. As someone who uses assistive technology myself, I can’t explain how much it means to see someone like Melody—someone like me—on screen. Phoebe-Rae Taylor brought so much authenticity to Melody’s journey, from the frustration of being misunderstood to the triumph of finally being heard.
Watching Melody go from Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, to having her family fight for her, to being in a general education classroom and thriving made my heart skip a beat. It was incredible to see that journey portrayed on the big screen because it reflected the real struggles and successes of education for disabled people and their families. It reminded me of my own experiences—what my family and I had to endure to get where we are today.
This movie is a must-watch for disabled people and their families. It reminds us never to give up and always fight for what we deserve.
Watching Out of My Mind, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. It reminded me that our voices matter, no matter how we communicate. Seeing Phoebe-Rae Taylor play Melody wasn’t just powerful—it was personal and relatable.
Why This Matters
For years, I’ve hoped for better representation of disabled people in movies, and now it feels like we’re finally being seen. Seeing Marissa Bodie, Cesily Collette Taylor, and Phoebe-Rae Taylor on screen as their authentic selves means everything to me. These two incredible actors show young disabled people that they can achieve anything while also reminding those of us who have been advocating for change that real progress is finally being made!
Representation isn’t just about visibility—it’s about truth. When disabled actors play disabled characters, it brings a level of authenticity that can’t be matched. It also shows the world that disabled people are talented, capable, and deserving of a place in the spotlight.
This is progress, and I hope it’s just the beginning. Here’s to many more stories celebrating disability. Thank you to the fantastic directors, writers, performers, and crew who made it happen.
Love Enable Everything
Sources
https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/wicked-young-nessarose-cesily-collette-taylor-yeah-rcna181640
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marissa_Bode
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-68312436
https://www.newspressnow.com/news/regional_news/iowa/phoebe-rae-taylor-makes-an-impression-with-out-of-my-mind/article_b3fe58bb-baa0-578a-9c5d-f30cba8708de.html
Photos from Google
*This is the opinion of Enable Everything. Please fact check*
