Aubrey Plaza Stuns at Cannes: First Public Appearance Since Tragic Loss of Husband

Aubrey Plaza Shines at Cannes Film Festival in First Public Appearance Since Husband Jeff Baena’s Passing
By Charmaine Patterson | Published May 24, 2025, 01:10 AM EDT

Aubrey Plaza made a radiant return to the public eye at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, attending the red carpet premiere of her upcoming film Honey Don’t! on Friday, May 23.

The 40-year-old actress joined her co-stars Margaret Qualley and Charlie Day, as well as directors Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, for the debut of the dark comedy. Plaza captivated photographers in a sheer, sleeveless nude gown intricately embellished with sparkling gems, revealing a matching corset underneath. She completed her elegant look with natural makeup and delicate diamond drop earrings, opting for timeless simplicity.

This marks Plaza’s first red carpet appearance since the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, earlier this year. Baena, known for projects such as Life After Beth and Joshy, was found deceased at a Los Angeles residence on January 3. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner later confirmed the cause of death as suicide.

In a statement to PEOPLE on January 6, Plaza shared her grief:

“This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”

Six weeks later, she honored Baena during the 50th anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live on February 16, wearing a tie-dye T-shirt—an homage to a meaningful part of their shared life. During a 2021 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Plaza explained that tie-dyeing became a hobby of Baena’s during the pandemic, and the couple would often wear his handmade creations.

Plaza and Baena began their relationship in 2011 and quietly married in May 2021, a fact that became public when Plaza referred to him as her “darling husband” in an Instagram post. A representative later confirmed their marriage to PEOPLE.

Their upcoming film Honey Don’t! centers on a small-town investigator as she unravels a web of mysterious deaths linked to a local church. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on August 22.

For those struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or text “STRENGTH” to 741741, or visit 988lifeline.org.