At the age of 25, actress Marissa Bode is breaking barriers within the film industry, having made her mark as the first wheelchair user to portray Nessarose in the 2022 adaptation of *Wicked*. This milestone follows her years of dedication to acting, which began when she was just eight years old.

Using Her Voice for Change

Bode advocates for greater representation of disabled individuals in Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of seeing characters that do not solely focus on disability. “Something I—and several of my other disabled peers—have been advocating for is to be cast in roles that don’t focus on disability,” she states. “Art imitates life a lot of the time, and vice versa, and the more we see disabled people just chilling, just kicking it, the more people will treat us as equals and give us the equity that we deserve.”

What’s Next for Marissa?

Fans can look forward to seeing more of Bode in the upcoming *Wicked* sequel, *Wicked: For Good*, which is set to be released in theaters on November 21. In an interview with *Women’s Health*, she shared insights into her daily practices that contribute to her well-being and advocacy.

Morning Routine

When asked about her morning routine, Bode describes her love for breakfast: “I’m a munchie girl. I usually have Trader Joe’s whole-grain waffles with a little bit of vegan butter and either maple syrup or date syrup.”

Early Influences

Her passion for acting was sparked by her brother’s performances, which inspired her to pursue a career on stage.

Healthy Post-Workout Treats

After her workouts, Bode enjoys creating refreshing watermelon pops. “I blend watermelon, lemon juice, a little bit of mint, maple syrup or date syrup, and just a pinch of Tajín, and then I freeze it in my Popsicle molds,” she explains. “They’re really nice and very cooling.”

Career Highlights

One of her proudest moments occurred when she saw herself on screen for the first time in *Wicked*. “It was surreal, and it almost didn’t register in my brain that it was me,” she reflects.

Creative Inspiration and Relaxation

As for motivation, Bode’s favorite hype-up music can be found on Chappell Roan’s album *The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess*, or she enjoys the nostalgic tunes of the early 2000s. To unwind, she turns to scrapbooking, which helps her manage anxiety.

Advice for Aspiring Actors

Her advice for those looking to break into acting is straightforward: “Create your own art. It’s important to wear a number of different hats so that you can have a chance to see what you like and don’t like.”

Emotional Moments

When it comes to vulnerability, Bode recently found herself in tears while watching emotional episodes of *Supernanny* during heart-to-heart moments.

Recent Adventures

Finally, she shares a light-hearted account of her last trip to Las Vegas, celebrating her birthday. “I had a few drinks, lost all of $15. Did you really go to Vegas if you didn’t lose a bit of money?”