Aubrey Plaza on Coping with Grief

Aubrey Plaza on Coping with Grief

• Daily Struggle Amid Small Victories
  In a deeply candid conversation on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Aubrey Plaza described her grief as an ongoing challenge, yet emphasized that she’s “here and … functioning” and feels “really grateful to be moving through the world.” But she didn’t shy away from admitting, “I think I’m OK, but, you know, it’s like a daily struggle, obviously.” EW.comThe CutNBC New YorkParade

• A Vivid Metaphor: The Gorge
  Plaza likened her emotional state to the 2025 sci-fi film The Gorge, where two characters stand on opposing cliffs flanking a chasm filled with monsters. She shared that grief feels like “a giant ocean of awfulness—that’s right there and I can see it.” At times she wants to dive into it, sometimes she merely observes, and sometimes she tries to escape—even though “it’s always there.” The CutEW.comTheWrapParade

• Support from Loved Ones and Moments of Light
  Despite the weight of sorrow, Plaza expressed gratitude for her support system—particularly close friends who bring laughter and comfort during this grueling journey. EW.comThe Cut

Context of the Loss

• Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena had been together since 2011 and married in 2021. They separated in September 2024Page SixWikipediaE! Online.

• Baena tragically died by suicide on January 3, 2025, at age 47. Efforts by families and the couple’s close circle included requesting privacy and reflecting publicly on their devastation and gratitude for support received. EW.comThe Guardian+1Wikipedia.

Reflection

Aubrey Plaza’s words offer a profoundly human portrait of grief—a state that’s not linear but more like a landscape one must navigate daily. Her honesty, paired with the vivid metaphor of The Gorge, captures how overwhelming and persistent sorrow can feel, even as moments of connection and gratitude sustain those left behind.