01 Dec 2024
A St Albans mum was at the forefront of ensuring blockbuster movie Wicked was completely accessible to all of its cast.
That included actor Marissa Bode, who makes history as the first disabled actress to ever play the part of Nessarose.
Chantelle Nassari, who uses a wheelchair herself, was the film’s accessibility coordinator, acting as on-set consultant throughout the production, working alongside every department from props, hair and make-up through to the set designers.
“They took on board everything I said,” she said. “They had a big enough budget that everything was possible, and the site team were just so creative and understanding, with the imagination and tools to make it happen.”
This included redesigning ramps over cables to cope with electric wheelchairs, and helping facilities company Translux to build the first wheelchair accessible trailer in the world.
“We started off with an empty shell, but now it’s voice controlled, the surfaces raise and lower, there are ceiling hoists and it’s completely sensory and physically accessible.”
In an interview with PEOPLE Magazine, Marissa credited Chantelle with creating a safe space for her even before she arrived on set, and it’s no surprise that they became very close during the production.
“She’s the nicest, sweetest, most compassionate kid,” said Chantelle. “She’s full of integrity and stands up for her beliefs, but also very humble. We liaised a lot before we met, I found her accommodation and arranged her transport, and since then she’s hung out at my house with my 17-year-old daughter Maya.”
She stressed how there was a lack of egos across the production, which stars Arian Grande, Cynthia Erivo in the Wizard of Oz prequel: “Everyone was equal, they all respected each other, there was no arrogance and no divas. The love you see between the stars on screen was real on set as well – it was just such a comfortable and safe environment.”
Chantelle describes her involvement in Wicked as an “epic experience”, which culminated last week with the movie’s European premiere. “It was mind-blowing!” she added.
But despite her experiences working on a Hollywood blockbuster, she said inclusion is still not really addressed in the film and television industry.
“Representation is everything. I’d like to see more things change, more roles where characters just happen to be disabled and aren’t defined by it. I really think we’re on the cusp of something now.”
