Aubrey Plaza made her first public appearance since the heartbreaking death of her husband, Jeff Baena, and she did it on one of the biggest stages in film, at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Parks and Recreation star walked the red carpet on Friday, May 23, for the premiere of her upcoming film Honey Don’t!, alongside her costars Margaret Qualley and Charlie Day, and filmmakers Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke.
The 40-year-old actress stunned in a full-length, nude, sleeveless gown covered in sparkling gems. The sheer material showed off a matching corset underneath, and she completed the elegant look with dangling diamond earrings. Her makeup stayed soft and natural, letting the outfit do all the talking.
But this moment wasn’t just about fashion. Aubrey’s Cannes appearance marks her first red carpet since Baena’s sudden passing in January, making the event feel emotional and symbolic. Baena, a respected writer and director, was found dead in a Los Angeles-area home on January 3 around 10:30 a.m., according to TMZ. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner later ruled the death a suicide.
Just a few days later, on January 6, Plaza broke her silence in a statement: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Since then, she’s kept a low profile, appearing only once publicly on February 16 during Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary celebration. Even then, she honored Baena in her own way, wearing a tie-dye T-shirt. Fans of the couple know that wasn’t random. Back in a December 2021 interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, Plaza revealed how meaningful tie-dye was in their relationship. “Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine,” she said, adding that he even made them matching pajamas. That shirt at SNL was her quiet tribute to the man she called her husband.
Aubrey and Jeff had been together since 2011, but they kept their relationship extremely private. In May 2021, fans only found out the couple tied the knot after Plaza casually referred to him as her “darling husband” in an Instagram post. A rep later confirmed they were officially married.
Now, after months of grief, Plaza is back in the spotlight, and not just for appearances’ sake. Her film Honey Don’t! is a highly anticipated mystery from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke. The plot centers around a small-town investigator unraveling a string of mysterious deaths linked to a church. With a quirky premise and a powerhouse cast, the film is scheduled to hit theaters on August 22.
Plaza’s red carpet return at Cannes wasn’t just a promotional moment, it was a deeply personal milestone. Fans online were quick to flood her social media with support, praising her courage and her stunning look. The strength it takes to show up, smile, and stand tall in front of flashing cameras just months after losing a life partner is nothing short of inspiring.
Whether it’s through a gem-studded gown or a tie-dye shirt, Aubrey Plaza continues to honor Jeff Baena in quiet, powerful ways. As she steps into a new chapter, she does so with grace, grit, and undeniable style.
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