Aubrey Plaza Pays Tribute to Late Husband at SNL 50th Anniversary

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Aubrey Plaza made her first public appearance following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena, at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special. The White Lotus actress briefly appeared on stage to introduce Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard's musical performance, a cover of Sinead O'Connor's hit "Nothing Compares 2 U". Plaza's brief SNL appearance comes after she starred onscreen with Michael Shannon and Bad Bunny in Ritz's Super Bowl commercial. The comedian, 40, has been privately grieving the death of her husband, who died by suicide on January 3. Baena was found unresponsive inside his Los Angeles-area home by an assistant, and was 47 at the time of his death.

Plaza and Baena were together for over a decade prior to his death, and had secretly tied the knot in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. In December 2021, the actress revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that they made the decision to wed after they "got a little bored one night" in quarantine. Plaza's appearance at the SNL 50th anniversary special was a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, as she wore a tie-dye shirt, which held special meaning for the couple. On The Drew Barrymore Show, Plaza explained that she and Baena got married in tie-dye jammies, and that Baena had gotten into tie-dyeing during the quarantine.

The internet quickly figured out why Plaza was wearing tie-dye, and it was seen as a poignant tribute to her late husband. Plaza's decision to wear tie-dye was not a mere coincidence, but a deliberate choice to honor Baena's memory. The couple's love story was one of whimsy and spontaneity, and Plaza's tribute was a beautiful way to celebrate their time together. Plaza has a personal connection to Saturday Night Live, having interned at the show for the 2004-05 season, as well as in the NBC page program the following year. She had also hosted the show in 2023, and her appearance at the SNL 50th anniversary special was a testament to her enduring connection to the show.

Plaza's brief appearance at the SNL 50th anniversary special was a powerful tribute to her late husband, and a reminder of the impact that he had on her life. The couple's love story was one of love and loss, and Plaza's tribute was a beautiful way to celebrate their time together. Plaza's decision to wear tie-dye was a deliberate choice to honor Baena's memory, and it was seen as a poignant tribute to her late husband. The internet quickly figured out why Plaza was wearing tie-dye, and it was a testament to the couple's enduring love story.

In the aftermath of Baena's death, Plaza and his family released a joint statement, saying, "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time." Plaza has been privately grieving the death of her husband, and her appearance at the SNL 50th anniversary special was a rare public appearance. The comedian has been focusing on her work and her personal life, and her tribute to Baena was a beautiful way to celebrate their time together. Plaza's love story with Baena was one of whimsy and spontaneity, and her tribute was a testament to the enduring power of their love.