Marissa Bode, the prominent star of Wicked, is calling for greater inclusivity at the Met Gala and within the fashion industry at large. In a TikTok video posted on May 8, Bode, who uses a wheelchair, criticized the event for its lack of accessibility and representation of disabled individuals.
“Disabled people have been screaming for years to be included,” Bode said. She emphasized that true inclusion involves more than occasional representation. “Doing the work,” she argued, “comes not only from being consistent, but also the quality of opportunities available to people with disabilities.” She called for regular inclusion, not just token appearances.
Bode also urged industry leaders to hire more people with disabilities, noting that they often exist in the same spaces in real life. “We do often exist in the same spaces, in real life, together,” she said. She emphasized that the disabled community does not need a “savior,” but rather to be heard, listened to, and included.
@marissa_edob Care more about disabled people!!!! If you don’t care now, once again: you could become disabled tomorrow. This is a universal fight. #marissasthoughtoftheday
She concluded her video with a call to action: “I am begging others and non-disabled people to uplift those voices and question those within your spaces, and more people within power to step it up. If you are truly allies, do the work. Help us all get there because we cannot do this on our own.”
Bode’s comments add to a growing chorus of voices advocating for greater inclusivity at the Met Gala. In 2024, activist Hannah Diviney wrote an open letter to Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue and chair of the Met Gala, highlighting the inaccessibility of the event. Diviney, who uses a wheelchair, pointed out that the iconic Met Gala steps are a “no greater signal that people like me are not all that welcome in the worlds of fashion.”
Diviney also criticized the practice of disabled individuals entering the Met Museum through the back, rather than the front entrance. “It left me wondering – if a disabled person was ever deemed high-profile enough by you and the powers that be, to attend the Met Gala, would they have to enter through the back as well?” she wrote. “Robbed of the red carpet that sits as the beating heart of an event, built entirely on the value of seeing and being seen?”
She concluded her letter by urging Wintour to take a risk on disabled individuals, stating, “With our inclusion, not only would you be transforming ALL of those industries forever, but you’d transform how the world looked at anyone who opened Instagram or used the Internet on the first Monday in May.”
The Met Gala, established in 1948, has evolved from a fundraiser for the Costume Institute into a high-profile event that sets fashion trends and garners global attention. However, its inaccessibility remains a significant issue. Despite the museum’s wheelchair accessibility, the Gala’s iconic steps present a barrier for wheelchair users, effectively excluding them from the central photo opportunity.
Activists like Diviney and Bode argue that the fashion industry must move beyond token gestures and make meaningful changes to ensure true inclusivity. This includes reimagining events like the Met Gala to accommodate individuals with disabilities, not just in terms of physical access but also in representation and participation.
The #YourMoveMET campaign, initiated by Diviney and fellow activist Daphne Frias, calls for the Met Gala to implement ramps and other infrastructure to make the event accessible to all attendees. The campaign emphasizes that inclusion should not compromise the event’s aesthetic but should enhance it by embracing diversity.
As the fashion industry continues to evolve, the push for greater inclusivity reflects a broader societal shift toward recognizing and valuing diversity in all its forms. The Met Gala, as a cultural touchstone, has the opportunity to lead by example and set a new standard for inclusivity in the fashion world.
For now, advocates like Bode and Diviney remain steadfast in their mission to ensure that the fashion industry, and events like the Met Gala, are truly inclusive spaces where everyone is seen, heard, and celebrated.
