Aubrey Plaza returned to “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) in a surprise appearance at the show’s 50th special, her first public outing since husband Jeff Baena’s death. The late filmmaker and director passed away on January 4, leaving behind a devastated wife and fans who admired their work.
Plaza, who was an intern and page for NBC when she first joined SNL, made headlines by introducing musical performers Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard during the special. She wore a tie-dyed shirt and black blazer, signaling her return to the stage.
The 50th special marked a reunion of sorts for SNL’s biggest stars, with Kate McKinnon, John Mulaney, Adam Sandler, and Tina Fey among those who returned. Paul McCartney also made an appearance, as did Sabrina Carpenter in a comedy sketch featuring new cast member Marcello Hernández.
This past Friday, the show held a separate concert to honor its anniversary, featuring performances from Cher, Lady Gaga, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. The special followed a week of tributes and reflections on Baena’s passing, which left Plaza “deeply grateful” for support but asked fans to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Plaza had initially planned to present at the Golden Globes the following day but chose instead to bow out and make Sunday her first televised appearance since January 4.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/02/17/aubrey-plaza-snl-50-special/78951960007