Aubrey Plaza made her highly anticipated first public appearance since the tragic passing of her husband, Jeff Baena, at the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live, which aired on Sunday night. Plaza, who once interned at SNL, took the stage to introduce musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard, but it was her choice of attire that garnered significant attention.
Plaza wore a tie-dye shirt, a poignant tribute to her late husband. The significance of the shirt stems from a previous conversation where she shared that the couple wore tie-dye during their spontaneous wedding. In a 2021 interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, she revealed that during the pandemic, Baena developed a passion for tie-dye. Plaza expressed her deep affection for this personal tradition, recounting how they donned tie-dye pajamas crafted by Baena for their intimate wedding.
This appearance comes after Baena’s untimely death by suicide on January 4, at the age of 47, leaving behind a legacy of creativity as an indie film writer-director. An investigation determined he was found at his home in Los Angeles. Following his passing, Plaza and her family issued a statement describing the loss as an “unimaginable tragedy” and expressed gratitude for the support they’d received while requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Before her appearance on SNL, Plaza had been scheduled to present at the Golden Globes on January 5 but missed the event due to her husband’s death. Earlier this month, she featured in a Super Bowl commercial for Ritz crackers, which was filmed prior to Baena’s passing. The couple had a long-standing relationship, dating back to 2011, and collaborated on several films, including The End of Love (2012) and Spin Me Round (2022). Spin Me Round marked Baena’s last film project.
In a world that often feels chaotic, Plaza’s tribute to Baena at a significant televised event underscores the importance of love and remembrance. Her strength in honoring her husband while participating in such a celebration is a testament to their bond, inspiring others to cherish their loved ones.
This heartfelt homage not only highlights Plaza’s resilience but also serves as a reminder of the enduring love that remains, even in the face of profound loss.