“Aubrey Plaza Finds Comfort from Co-Star on First Red Carpet Appearance Since Spouse’s Passing”

Aubrey Plaza made a highly anticipated return to the public spotlight at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This marked her first red carpet appearance since the tragic passing of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena.

In March, it was revealed that Plaza and Baena had quietly separated four months prior to his death.

Reports from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed that Plaza and Baena had separated in September of 2024. At the time of Baena’s untimely death, Plaza was residing in New York, while Baena was found at his residence in Los Angeles.

Two months after the tragic death of Baena, Plaza made a grand return to the red carpet.

During the event, the “White Lotus” actress captivated attendees with her stunning sheer nude beaded gown. Plaza graced the French premiere of her most recent film, “Honey Don’t!,” a dark comedy helmed by director Ethan Coen. The movie features Margaret Qualley in the role of Honey O’Donahue, a local private detective entangled in a perplexing series of deaths, with Plaza portraying a police officer collaborating with her.

The movie is set to hit theaters on August 22.

Plaza was joined at the premiere by co-stars Qualley, Charlie Day, Talia Ryder, Lera Abova, as well as Coen and co-writer Tricia Cooke.

In one touching moment, captured on video from the event, Qualley was seen quickly moving to Plaza’s side, offering comfort as the two posed for photographers. Plaza also sparked curiosity at one point with a seemingly surprised expression, glancing off-camera, though it’s unclear what prompted the moment.

The actress previously appeared at the “Saturday Night Live 50th” anniversary special and was spotted out in Los Angeles in late March.

All of this comes just weeks after Baena’s suicide in January at the age of 47.

The autopsy report revealed that Baena had been “experiencing marital difficulties” and had been attending therapy in the months leading up to his death. It also noted that Plaza, whose name was redacted in the final documents, had spoken to Baena the night before he died and had previously arranged a welfare check in October 2024 after he made concerning remarks.

Tragically, the “White Lotus” actress received a final text from him on the morning of January 3, just before he was found by a dog walker who entered the home after hearing loud music, an unusual occurrence that raised alarm.

There were no drugs or alcohol found in Baena’s system at the time of his death.

Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011, bonding over their mutual love of cinema, a shared passion that led to both creative and romantic collaborations.