- Aubrey Plaza made her first public appearance since her husband’s death
- Screenwriter and director Jeff Baena passed on 3 January 2025
- Fans have been left emotional after noticing her small tribute
Fans have been left in bits after noticing a small yet touching tribute from Aubrey Plaza to her late husband Jeff Baena during a surprise appearance at yesterday’s SNL 50 show.
The Parks and Recreation star made her first public appearance during Sunday’s star-strewn Saturday Night Live anniversary extravaganza following the sudden death of her husband in January.
Read more: Fans “proud” of Aubrey Plaza after surprise SNL 50 spot
Filmmaker, director and Plaza’s late husband was found dead at his Los Angeles home on 3 January 2025. The cause of death was later ruled to be suicide.
Plaza appeared part way through the show to introduce singers Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard. The duo performed a rendition of Sinead O’Connor’s touching classic Nothing Compares 2 U.
Read more: Aubrey Plaza pays tribute to her late husband Jeff Baena
However, it was Plaza’s choice of outfit that fans zeroed in on, suspecting that it could be a tribute to her late husband.
Did Aubrey Plaza pay tribute to her late husband Jeff Baena during SNL 50?
While unconfirmed, it certainly looks like Plaza snuck a sweet little tribute to her late husband into her brief appearance during Saturday Night Live’s epic anniversary show.
Fans were quick to notice that the actor was wearing a tie-dye tee shirt under a simple black blazer. They then remembered previous comments Plaza had made about Baena’s love for the tie-dye look. According to The White Lotus star, tie-dye even managed to make it into their wedding day.
“We got married on a whim. Literally decided at around 5pm and got married at 8:30,” Plaza told talk show host Drew Barrymore in 2021.
“Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine. So, I decided that Jeff and I were going to wear tie-dye pajamas that he had made for us. I made a love altar in the backyard of all of our love objects. It was very witchcore, but it happened.”
Aubrey Plaza tribute to late husband Jeff Baena: Fans react
Fans didn’t take the tribute lightly. Many were left in tears following this small nod to Plaza’s late hubby.
“Aubrey wearing a tie dyed shirt… if i wasn’t crying already” said one user, following up her comments with a crying face emoji.
aubrey wearing a tie dyed shirt… if i wasn't crying already 😭 pic.twitter.com/JfTq2DBnI8
— zelia (is NOT wow platinum) (@theresebeIivets) February 17, 2025
“The tie dye shirt” said another, accompanied by a gif of an emotional Ariana Grande.
the tie dye shirt pic.twitter.com/YlCnyCJxjn
— chloe is missing aubrey plaza (@plazascoven) February 17, 2025
“Seeing Aubrey on snl and she’s wearing tie dye for Jeff” added another, again with the crying emoji.
seeing aubrey on snl and shes wearing tie dye for jeff 🥺😭
— jada (@jadaa_gen) February 17, 2025
Others called out Plaza’s strength, with one X user saying “you brought tears to all our eyes,” and that the star was “incredibly strong.”
They added that “we all noticed the tie-dye shirt he was with you”.
Aubrey you angel. Seeing you brought tears to all our eyes❤️ you are so incredibly strong, staying true to yourself. And yes we all noticed the tie-dye shirt he was with you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6axkcBahpx
— Just flung out of space ⧗ ᗢ (@itsafairytale95) February 17, 2025
oh the way my heart clenched 🥺 sweet aubrey and the tie dye shirt 😭✨ she's so strong and so soft, i love her sm 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/DHQMmT7Ejw
— gigi all along (@claudsjessie) February 17, 2025
“oh the way my heart clenched,” said another fan.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
