Aubrey Plaza Looks 'So Broken' Discussing the Grief of Losing Her Husband in New Podcast Appearance

The 41-year-old comedian has long kept her private life guarded — but in a rare moment of vulnerability, she's letting the public in on how she truly feels.

"The White Lotus" star Aubrey Plaza has opened up for the first time about the grief she's been navigating since the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, earlier this year. Her gestures and emotional responses drew heartfelt reactions from netizens.

Appearing on the August 19, 2025, episode of "Good Hang with Amy Poehler," Plaza gave an emotional account of how she's been coping in the months since his passing.

When Poehler asked how she was feeling in the moment, Plaza responded with quiet honesty. "I'm here and I'm functioning. I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I'm okay, but it's like a daily struggle, obviously," she said.

To help Poehler understand the emotional intensity of what she's feeling, Plaza referenced the horror film "The Gorge," explaining that a particular scene had unexpectedly mirrored her own experience with grief. In the movie, characters are trapped between cliffs.

She recalled that the film's characters faced danger from a monstrous force below — a visual that stuck with her.

"There's like a giant, like, ocean of just awfulness that's, like, right there, and I can, like, see it, and, like, sometimes I just want to, like, just dive into it and just, like, be in it. And then sometimes I just, like, look at it, and then sometimes I'm, like, I just try to get away from it — but it's always there," she explained.

Plaza's vulnerability struck a chord across social media. On Instagram, a supporter pointed out, "She looks and sounds so broken 💔 🥺," while a second added, "Awe man , I haven't seen her in while 😢 prayers for her 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️🥺."

A third noted, "You can see the pain in her eyes 😕," while another chimed in, "She is soo [sic] sad and vulnerable." A different viewer simply responded with, "❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😢😢😢."

Meanwhile, on YouTube, viewers praised Plaza's honesty and strength. "Absolutely love Aubrey Plaza. Wishing her the best. So glad Amy mentioned it. We love you Aubrey. You're incredible," one fan shared.

Another commented, "I hope Aubrey is doing well. She's been through a lot of grief this last couple years." Someone else remarked, "The most raw and real I've ever seen her, she’s obviously hurting hard but just to be real here is inspiring, I just want to hug her."

Her emotional interview came months after a red carpet appearance in France, where many noticed a visible shift in her demeanor. On May 23, Plaza attended the premiere of "Honey Don't!" at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, held at the Palais des Festivals.

Plaza stepped onto the red carpet wearing a sleeveless, floor-length gown with a see-through layer covered in colorful beads and shiny details. The dress had a deep neckline with a clear panel in the middle, giving it a bold design.

Her hair was parted to the side and styled in loose waves. To finish off the look, the actress wore long, sparkling earrings and kept her makeup soft with a light touch on the lips and eyes.

Plaza's fashion choice turned heads, but it wasn't just her gown that drew attention. As she moved through the crowd and posed for photos, many online watchers noticed something different in her expression.

One person wrote, "Aubrey looks stressed out…". Another followed with a heartfelt note, "Praying for her, she deserves happiness & peace [sic]." A wave of similar comments continued to appear across social media.

Someone else added, "Hope [sic] she's doing okay after such a horrible loss." Another message read, "A really brave woman!" with a similar tone echoed in the words, "One strong lady."

Many were quick to share concern and compassion. One person commented, "Awww I hope she is okay," while another observed, "Eyes dont [sic] lie. She's still grieving." One simple but powerful question also appeared among the responses, "What happened to her?"

The online concern surrounding Plaza's public appearance follows a deeply personal tragedy that surfaced earlier this year. Her walk down the red carpet came four months after Baena died by suicide.

The screenwriter's body was found on January 3 in their Los Angeles home near the Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz neighborhoods, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Authorities confirmed that Baena was pronounced dead at the scene after being discovered by an assistant earlier that morning. In the days that came next, a brief message was shared by his now-widowed wife's team, "The family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time."

A few days after the news of Baena's passing became public, Plaza and his family chose to share a brief message. In a statement, they said, "This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time."

Before tragedy struck, Plaza and Baena had shared both a personal and professional life that began in an unexpected way. Their connection started in 2011 after a game of Balderdash brought them together. Over time, their bond grew, and they teamed up on projects like the 2017 indie film "The Little Hours."

In one past interview, Plaza shared, "I think that when you're with someone that is in your field, they understand what you're dealing with on a deeper level. So obviously you are able to support each other and really understand kind of the journey that we're both on."

Plaza acknowledged that working with a partner can be challenging. She noted that they often handled things separately and believed that maintaining balance was important.

She shared that one benefit of their careers was the need to stay independent. According to Plaza, they would take short breaks, focus on individual work, then reconnect. She described the routine as enjoyable and ever-changing.

While she believed it was important not to spend too much time apart, she felt there was a way to make it work by finding balance. Even though their careers kept them on separate paths at times, their commitment to one another remained steady — and their wedding reflected that.

Plaza and Baena tied the knot in a spontaneous ceremony during the 2020 lockdown, celebrating ten years together. One evening, she joked about getting married on the spot.

The film director doubted it could happen that quickly, so Plaza searched online and found a service that arranged weddings within an hour. The comedian made the call, and a few hours later, the officiant arrived at their home.

For the occasion, Plaza set up a small altar in their yard using a rosemary wreath she made from a dandelion. They exchanged vows in private, with no guests and no prior notice.

Their quiet wedding was just one of many personal moments the couple kept private. In a November 2022 interview, Plaza spoke honestly about other parts of her life.

She said she did not have children but had thought about it during the pandemic. The state of the world at the time, however, gave her pause.

She also shared, "I've been with my husband for 12 years. I relate to being in a relationship that has peaks and valleys, and going through a rough patch and comparing yourself to another couple that seems perfect."

Plaza's appearance at Cannes came during a tender chapter marked by love, loss, and quiet strength. Her journey with Baena — spanning over a decade — was filled with creative partnership, private milestones, and shared challenges.

Though their wedding was intimate and unplanned, it reflected the closeness they nurtured over the years. As she steps forward, many continue to watch with care, remembering the story behind her red carpet walk.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.