‘Yeah!’ 6-year-old actor praised for the ‘single greatest’ line delivery in ‘Wicked’

While plenty of 6-year-olds have adorable voices, not all of them go viral for reaching levels of maximum cute in a multi-million-dollar film.
But that’s where Cesily Collette Taylor is the exception.
Taylor, who plays a young Nessarose in the “Wicked” movie, has became an online sensation for her sweet delivery of one simple word: “Yeah!”
The line comes after Nessarose’s older sister Elphaba — played in that scene by Karis Musongole, a child actor whose performance has also been praised by fans – asks if she wants to hear a story.
In the movie, Taylor says the word in a high-pitched, soft voice and fans are simply loving it.
“Probably my favorite part was when young elphaba asks young Nessarose if she wants to hear a story, and Nessa says with the softest voice,” one Redditor commented.
“Baby nessarose’s little squeak ‘yes’ at the beginning of the movie nearly killed me with cute,” a TikTok comment reads.
One fan attempted to recreate the line in a TikTok, trying her best to capture Taylor’s tone.
Another creator posted a video in which he goes about his day but keeps saying “yeah” like Nessarose, even conversing with a McDonald’s employee. The text on top of the video reads, “Me after watching WICKED and just constantly quoting the single greatest line reading from young Nessarose throughout my whole day.”
Another TikToker gave Taylor a “shoutout” for being the “cutest person in ‘Wicked,'” before mimicking the line delivery.
In an interview with WhatsOnStage, Marissa Bode, who plays the adult version of Nessarose, said Taylor’s delivery is “just so cute.”
The interviewer said that when they saw the movie, Taylor’s “yeah” received an applause. Ethan Slater, who plays Boq, said it wasn’t the first time.
“Can I tell you, it does (get applause) every screening we’ve been to,” Slater said.
Bode said a collective “aw” normally follows the line, too — “and rightfully so because she’s precious.”
“She’s so pure,” Slater added.
In “Wicked,” Nessarose is a wheelchair user. Bode and Taylor make history as the first wheelchair users to play the character.
The adult behind Taylor’s Instagram account thanked director John Chu for this representation.
“What you have done for casting an authentic wheelchair user for Nessa Rose will forever change the lives for so many who see themselves being represented on the big screen through her,” the caption of a Nov. 2 post read.
“Thank you for allowing little girls like ours to dream big and believe in magic. There is never enough words to thank you. This film is extremely special and incredibly important!!!”
Taylor’s father, Kenny Taylor, took to Instagram to document his journey with his daughter and “Wicked.” According to Kenny Taylor, his daughter has spina bifida.
“From her first movements as a newborn to years of physical therapy, she’s conquered every obstacle with strength, joy, and determination,” he wrote.
Kenny Taylor said his daughter’s photo “landed in the hands of a casting director, and against all odds, she was cast as young Nessarose in ‘Wicked’ — an authentic wheelchair user at just 4 years old!”
Kenny Taylor went on to thank Bode for being “a shining example of talent and grace.”
“To every parent of a child with spina bifida: know there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he wrote. “And to every filmmaker: let’s show the world the beauty of every life.”
Speaking to TODAY’s Donna Farizan, Bode says she’s close with Taylor’s family.
“I love them so dearly. They genuinely feel like our family, actually,” she said.