Fans Praise Aubrey Plaza’s Candid Comments About Grief After Husband’s Death

Seven months after the passing of her husband, director Jeff Baena, Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza opened up about her grief in a conversation with Amy Poehler — and fans are praising her candor.

Speaking on the Tuesday, August 19 episode of Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Plaza described her healing process as ongoing.

"Overall, 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," said The White Lotus actress. "At all times there's like a giant ocean of awfulness, that's like right there and I can see it. Sometimes I just want to dive into it, and just like be in it. Then sometimes I just look at it, and sometimes I try to get away from it. But, it's always there."

Shortly after the episode dropped on YouTube, reactions quickly pour into the comments section.

“It is the ‘I’m here and I’m functioning’ that hit me hard. That’s kind of my default feeling in life. Now I’m crying making mac n cheese,” one person wrote.

“I’ve never seen an interview with Aubrey Plaza like this one. I feel like we are seeing the real Aubrey, and I love it. I’m here for it. I’m grateful for it. What a great, unique, one of a kind soul,” another said.

“The beautiful vulnerability that Aubrey shows at the beginning of this podcast is incredible. At a time when everyone posts only the highlights of their life, it’s so vulnerable to even just show up. I love this podcast so much, a good hang can be laughing with friends, and it can also be deeply emotional conversations with friends. What a fantastic episode,” chimed in a third.

“My heart goes out to Aubrey. There’s a quiet strength in the way she carries herself, especially while moving through grief. It was deeply moving to see her show up with honesty, humor, and vulnerability. Wishing her peace and continued healing. She's truly one of a kind,” someone else added.

And it wasn’t just Plaza getting love — fans were quick to shout out Poehler’s handling of the convo, too.

“The way Amy was the best in approaching Aubrey’s grief and where she is at right now, and also bringing levity and humor with respect. Class act! That is a friend,” one person pointed out.

“Thank you, Ms. Poehler, for having Ms. Plaza on. We are really happy she is still kicking and smiling. Sometimes life comes at you hard - but she's a trooper,” another said.

“Amy handled this interview with the skill of a seasoned talk show host and the empathy of a great grandmother whose lived through 3 wars,” another quipped.

Plaza, 41, began dating Baena in 2011. The two of them were then married in 2021, after 10 years together. In addition to their romantic relationship, they were also creatively collaborative. Baena made his directorial debut with the 2014 film Life After Beth, which starred Plaza in the lead role. Other films they worked on together include The Little Hours and Spin Me Round. The pair were allegedly separated at the time of his death.

On January 3, the director was found dead at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 47. Authorities later confirmed that he died by suicide, with no signs of foul play involved.

Since releasing a joint statement with Baena’s family calling his death "an unimaginable tragedy" and asking for privacy, Plaza has remained silent publicly, until now.

After comparing her grief to the movie The Gorge, Poehler later asked how Plaza, “deeply laughs and stays on the cliff, and not in the gorge.”

"A group of my women friends; we have, like, a text chain and we do Zooms and trips and those girls make me laugh really, really hard. We’ve all known each other for so long. That’s the best thing that makes me laugh. My funny friends," replied the actress. She is set to star in The Heidi Fleiss Story, marking her first major project since the passing of her husband.