Last year, Cesily Collette Taylor played Young Nessarose (Marissa Bode) in the hugely-popular film adaptation of Wicked, working closely with Karis Musongole as Young Elphaba and being directed by Jon M. Chu. Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande-Butera as Glinda, and Cesily reunited with the cast for the Wicked film premiere in November and the Golden Globes in January. Cesily has further screen experience, having played Lola in the 2024 short film Body Swap and Nina in an episode of Station 19. Chatting to Cesily, she told us about her experience playing Young Nessarose in the screen adaptation of Wicked, what it was like attending the film premiere and Golden Globes and her further projects – Station 19 and short film Body Swap.

What was Young Nessarose like to play in Wicked and how was it getting into character?

It was fun, I loved it. Being with Karis (Musongole) made it easier to feel like a little sister and be Nessarose. She is a great friend. Karis is coming to visit me in LA, I can’t wait to see her again.

How much did you know about Wicked before auditioning for the film adaptation?

I didn’t know anything about Wicked.

How did you feel finding out you’d booked the role of Young Nessarose?

I felt like it would be fun and I was excited to go to London again!

How was it meeting Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera, who play Elphaba and Glinda, and being directed by Jon M. Chu?

It was fun meeting Cynthia and Ariana. I loved their music before I met them and it was really exciting to get to meet them. They were both so nice to me.

Jon was really nice to me and he gave me a flower that I could keep forever and that was really nice.

What was it like playing the younger version of Marissa Bode’s character and filming with Karis Musongole as Young Elphaba?

It was so much fun and I got to have a tea party with my big sister (Karis) in the movie.

I met Marissa on set and we raced and I think I won. Marissa likes art just like me and we do crafts together. She is really good at acting and so beautiful. I love Marissa.

How did you find the experience on set of Wicked?

The forest was REALLY big and the flowers and trees were real! It was cool because I saw a green butterfly and it came to my house! (It was a green laser pointer that Jon used on set lol)

What was it like attending the Wicked film premiere in November and the Golden Globes in January?

It was so much fun because I met Cynthia and Ariana at the premiere and they knew my name! We took photos together and they were so nice, they are the best!

The Golden Globes was fun to see everybody in their fancy clothes and meet Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez! I also got to eat tomato soup and grilled cheese.

How did you feel watching the film version of Wicked for the first time?

It was so much fun. I like how my dress looked in my wheelchair that Paul made me and my red shoes that Bobby made! I was really excited to see myself on the big screen.

It was my first time in a movie theatre and I got to go all dressed up.

Can you tell us about playing Lola in the 2024 short film Body Swap?

I liked being Lola because there were other people that were in wheelchairs on set. Joci (Scott) is my real friend in real life and I got to wear a sparkly skirt and dance.

How was it playing Nina in an episode of Station 19?

I had fun, it really looked like a firehouse and hospital. Everyone on set was nice to me. The director was a nice person and she gave me the slate and told me I did a great job. It was raining and they let me use an umbrella and I got to eat snacks in the trailer. I even made a glove balloon on set and I was able to keep it.

How did you get into acting?

I always like to pretend and do imaginary play. I also like to play games and go on stage. I really like to play fashion runway. I always make shows for my family.

What do you enjoy most about being an actor?

I like to go to red carpet parties, they are fun! I like to make new friends on the sets and wear costumes. I love being fancy.

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

The Parent Trap (movie), Eloise (movie), Barbie (movie), Wicked.

Favourite shows: Gabby’s Playhouse, Fancy Nancy and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

How do you like to spend your free time?

With my sister doing crafts and making art, singing and making slime at Minty Bleu. I just started doing ballet classes too with Miss Kate.

Do you have any upcoming acting projects that you can tell us about and what are you hoping this year brings for you?

Yes! I am doing a commercial and hopefully more photos because I love to dress up fancy, model and pose.

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