Wicked Star Marissa Bode's Girlfriend Speaks Out on Public Attention

They deserve each other—Marissa Bode and her girlfriend, Lauren “Wren” Brooks.

In the midst of the actress from “Wicked” rising to prominence, Wren opened up about the joys and challenges she encountered as she dealt with fame personally, all the while managing her daily existence.

Being involved with someone rising to fame during such a pivotal time in my own life has been quite peculiar, I must admit,” she shared in a TikTok video posted on January 5. “I don’t feel compelled to reveal the specifics of my personal or private matters online, but I believe it’s important for me to address this.

Recounting a memorable fan interaction, Wren (having just completed her journalism degree) shared an instance when a 24-year-old admirer approached Marissa for a picture, expressing surprise at their seemingly ordinary nature.

Clearly, I’m not a celebrity or an influencer,” she said with a chuckle. “In truth, I’m just a woman grappling with my identity, more so a girlfriend going through some self-discovery.

The newly graduated individual, similar to Marissa, who gets around in a wheelchair, further noted that she brought up her profession to the admirer, who expressed astonishment, stating they were “astonished” to learn she holds an office position.

She continued, “There are way too many people thinking my life is flawless and I’m wealthy just because of who I’m with romantically. Let me make this clear: I am a genuine person, Marissa is a genuine person. Being associated with someone in the movie industry doesn’t automatically propel you to Hollywood’s elite.

In the comments section, Wren was met with a wave of support from spectators, among them being Lizzo, whose words appeared to stem from her own experiences as she dispensed words of motivation.

The singer penned, “It collects raw honey,” expressing his hope that you and your partner find success during this period of change.

Marissa additionally opened up about the challenges she encountered due to her celebrity status, addressing derogatory remarks regarding disability made towards her character, Nessarose, who is portrayed using a wheelchair in the show.

She expressed discomfort with insensitive remarks and jokes about Ness’ disability, stating that such comments are particularly uncomfortable because disabilities are real, not fictional. In a TikTok video posted in November, she emphasized that despite the disability, it is still Marissa who is the person in the wheelchair. She found it troubling that so many people seem to find making fun of someone’s disability an easy target.

Here I am, your fellow Wicked enthusiast! Don’t stop now, keep on scrollin’ to uncover the massive distinctions between the magical stage version of “Wicked” and its silver-screen transformation! The journey ahead is full of enchanting surprises!

Initially, a significant element from the book “Wicked,” known as the Time Dragon Clock Puppet Show, features in the Broadway production at its outset. In contrast, during the movie, it is only briefly referred to when Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) informs the citizens of Oz about Elphaba’s (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo) demise.

In the stage production, we only catch glimpses of Elphaba’s conception and early life; there’s no scene depicting her childhood years. Contrastingly, the movie offers insights into Elphaba’s upbringing, including hints at her emerging powers from an early age. Moreover, the film introduces a character named Dulcibear, portrayed by Sharon D. Clarke, who is present during Elphaba’s birth and takes on the role of raising her when her father, the governor of Munchkinland (played by Andy Nyman), recoils in disgust at her green skin. Dulcibear also offers an explanation for Elphaba’s deep-seated compassion for animals and fear of their marginalization within society, a significant theme throughout both the film and the musical.

In the Broadway musical, it is revealed that Elphaba has been admitted at Shiz University with the intention of looking after her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode). However, in the movie she only goes to drop off her sister. Notably, when Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) witnesses Elphaba’s display of power, she persuades her to enroll. The events that follow are quite similar, with Glinda unintentionally agreeing to share a room with Elphaba, and the musical version hints that Elphaba’s initial room assignment may have been overlooked.

In both the movie and the musical adaptation, a character named Doctor Dillamond, voiced by Peter Dinklage in the film, is portrayed as a wise-talking goat serving as a history professor at Shiz. He alerts students about a secret plot against animals in Oz. The film also introduces other talking animal characters who seem to be part of an animal resistance group, but they are not present in the musical. In the movie, the song “Something Bad” is sung by Doctor Dillamond and Elphaba in his private chambers, whereas in the musical, this song takes place within Doctor Dillamond’s classroom on stage.

The musical and film versions of “Wicked” share a love triangle involving Glinda, Elphaba, and a character named Fiyero (portrayed by Jonathan Bailey). Although their initial encounters differ, Fiyero nearly hits Elphaba with his carriage in the stage version, while in the movie, he almost steps on her in the woods as he rides his horse near the university. In the musical, this occurs when Fiyero’s servant drops him off at Shiz, and in the film, it happens while Fiyero is jokingly saying Elphaba wasn’t visible among the foliage.

Following Dr. Dillamond’s dismissal from Shiz, a new professor assumes his position and demonstrates innovative cages for animals, using a sad lion cub as an example. This infuriates Elphaba, who, in the stage production, causes chaos among students and the professor by making them move uncontrollably while she and Fiyero rescue the cub and lead it to safety. In the movie adaptation, instead of causing chaos, she puts everyone under a spell using poppies (a nod to the original 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” where she put Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion to sleep in a field of poppies).

In the enchanting world of Oz, as I prepare to cross paths with the Wizard, there’s a subtle difference in my journey: Instead of bidding me farewell at the train station in the musical, my father makes an appearance here, and it’s Nessarose who presents me to Boq. A delightful twist indeed!

The film offers additional insights about the Grimmerie, an old book containing enchantments, written in a language no longer understood by contemporary residents of Oz. Although the movie doesn’t introduce any completely new songs, it does include an expanded part within “One Short Day.” This extended version contributes to the Wizard’s legend, suggesting that he is the one who can decipher the Grimmerie, supposedly bringing to life a prophecy long anticipated by Ozians (however, we later discover that this is not accurate as he cannot read it; instead, Elphaba possesses this ability.).

Apart from being significantly altered between the stage and the film adaptation, “One Short Day” also brings an unexpected treat: renowned Broadway actresses Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth make guest appearances as Wiz-O-Mania Super Stars. These talented ladies, who originally played Elphaba and Glinda respectively, portray characters not present in the stage version. Their presence serves as a delightful blast from the past for fans of the musical, as they engage with Erivo and Grande in the Emerald City.

In both adaptations of Wicked, the Wizard initially enchants both Elphaba and Glinda. Unlike in the book, where this is done without any apparent means, in the movie, he uses a large model of Oz as a prop. He claims that he intends to construct a path leading Oz’s inhabitants to the Emerald City. Remarkably, he allows Elphaba and Glinda to choose the color for this famous road, resulting in the iconic Yellow Brick Road.

In the movie adaptation, Elphaba’s significant musical scene in Act One is extended compared to the original play. This expansion includes a scene where Elphaba encounters a vision of her younger self, which motivates her to depart and reinvent herself with a new identity, an event not depicted in the stage production.

2025-01-08 04:19

Wicked Star Marissa Bode’s Girlfriend Speaks Out on Public Attention

Read More