Aubrey Plaza Debuts Baby Bump at Tony Awards Amid New Chapter
A Public Return and Professional Recognition
Aubrey Plaza made her first major public appearance since announcing her pregnancy, attending the 2026 Tony Awards in New York City on Sunday, June 7. She walked the red carpet alongside her partner, Chris Abbott. The couple, both dressed in black, posed for photographs with Plaza gently resting her hand on her baby bump. The appearance signals a moment of personal renewal for the actress, who has navigated profound loss in the recent past.
Abbott received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his work in Death of a Salesman. The award ultimately went to Alden Ehrenreich for his performance in Becky Shaw.
The Tragic Passing of Jeff Baena
Plaza was previously married to filmmaker Jeff Baena. The two began dating in 2011, and it was revealed in 2021 that they had quietly married. The couple separated in September 2024. Just months later, on January 3, 2025, Baena died by suicide at a Los Angeles area home. According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner, his body was found by an assistant, and the cause was determined to be hanging.
Prior to his passing, Plaza had reportedly asked a friend to conduct a welfare check on Baena in October 2024. He was allegedly dealing with personal issues and had begun attending therapy. His death highlights the critical importance of accessible mental health resources and post-separation support systems, areas where civic advocates continue to push for structural reform.
Embracing Motherhood
This will be Plaza's first child. She confirmed her pregnancy during an April appearance on the Smartless podcast, telling hosts Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes about the experience with characteristic humor.