‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ ACTRESS MARISSA BODE Broadway Meets Geek Chic: Wicked’s Marissa Bode Joins Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con SET TO MAKE AN OUTSTANDIFUL APPEARANCE AS GUEST JUDGE AT THE HER UNIVERSE FASHION SHOW PRESENTED BY UNIVERSAL AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON
VARIETY’S MARC MALKIN, HOT TOPIC’S ROBIN MOTTS AND 2024 HER UNIVERSE FASHION SHOW WINNERS WES JENKINS AND CANDICE MILLER ROUND OUT THE JUDGES PANEL
The amazifying judging panel will select one of two winners from 25 contestants competing live with geek couture fashion
Universal Pictures’ ‘Wicked: For Good’ arrives in theaters November 21, 2025
- Actress Marissa Bode, globally recognized for her portrayal of Nessarose in Universal Pictures’ cinematic phenomenon Wicked and this year’s epic conclusion, Wicked: For Good (in theaters November 21), is set to join the judges’ table at the 2025 Her Universe Fashion Show Presented by Universal. Recognized for her work as a disability rights advocate, Bode joins the acclaimed SDCC event known for celebrating inclusivity, fandoms and the best in geek couture fashion.
- Variety’s Marc Malkin, Senior Editor, Culture and Events, will also join this year’s panel for the first time with returning judge Robin Motts, SVP of Hot Topic Merchandising, and the 2024 Her Universe Fashion Show winners, Wes Jenkins and Candice Miller.
- Award-winning director, writer, and producer Jeremy Merrifield will return as the show director for his 3rd consecutive year.
- “Marissa captivated the screen in Wicked and I instantly became a Marissa Bode fan! Her talent, heart, beauty and genuine authenticity radiate off the screen and we are so incredibly honored to have her be a part of this year’s Her Universe Fashion Show!” – Ashley Eckstein
- With the previously announced theme of “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations,” the show will highlight 25 finalists, who will each debut one-of-a-kind geek couture designs to an expected standing-room-only audience. The looks are inspired by Universal Pictures franchises and DreamWorks Animation franchises. The judging panel will choose one winner alongside the audience’s fan vote to determine the two designers awarded a cash prize of $2,000 USD and who may also be offered the opportunity to design a fashion collection with Her Universe!
- Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein (voice of Star Wars’ Ahsoka Tano) and Broadway star Michael James Scott (The Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway) are returning to co-host for the third consecutive year. The duo will additionally host the “Her Universe Fashion Show After Party” on Friday, July 25 (10-11 am) at the Neil Morgan Auditorium of the San Diego Central Library during a live taping of their newly announced podcast HypeFriend!
- The 11th annual Her Universe Fashion Show kicks off San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 24, beginning at 6:00 pm PT in Seaport Ballroom at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Wristbands are required for entry. For more information, visit: www.heruniverse.com/her-universe-fashion-show/
- Universal Products & Experiences is the presenting sponsor. Returning partners include AOAas the show’s special effects sponsor and fan-favorite brand Lug as the official bag sponsor.
ABOUT HER UNIVERSE
Her Universe is known as the groundbreaking fandom fashion company and lifestyle brand originally founded by Ashley Eckstein in 2010. Her Universe strives to cultivate a fandom-centric community powered by women to be authentically themselves and celebrate what they love by designing quality, fandom-centric, size-inclusive, stylish merchandise. For more information, visit heruniverse.com and follow @heruniverse on Instagram, X, Facebook and @officialheruniverse on TikTok.
ABOUT MARISSA BODE
Marissa Bode made her feature film debut in 2024 as principal character Nessarose in Universal Pictures’ global blockbuster Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, and also starring Oscar nominees Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. As a disability rights activist, Marissa is proud to be the first wheelchair user to play the role of Nessarose. Marissa has been acting since the age of 8 and trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Marissa will reprise her role in Wicked: For Good, which will be released November 21, 2025.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL PRODUCTS & EXPERIENCES
Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, as well as engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and third-party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s lines of business include Consumer Products and Games, along with Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. More information is available atuniversalproductsexperiences.com.
ABOUT WICKED: FOR GOOD
Last year’s global cinematic cultural sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion. The final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba (Oscar® nominee Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Oscar® nominee Ariana Grande) estranged and living with the consequences of their choices. When a girl from Kansas comes crashing into their lives, they will need to come together one final time, and truly see each other, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
