Aubrey Plaza Radiates Maternal Joy During New York Outing
Expectant actress Aubrey Plaza embodied maternal happiness as she enjoyed a leisurely dog walk through New York City on Saturday. The 41-year-old former Parks and Recreation star showcased her developing pregnancy bump in a comfortable striped long-sleeved shirt paired with loose-fitting trousers.
Casual Stroll and Shopping Therapy
During her outing, Plaza paused outside the Tribeca boutique 180 the store to engage in conversation with a friend while gently caressing her baby bump. The actress appeared to be indulging in some retail therapy, evidenced by the shopping bag she carried throughout her walk.
This public appearance comes just days after Plaza's representative officially confirmed the exciting news that the star is expecting her first child with her partner, actor Christopher Abbott, who is 40 years old.
From Friendship to Romance and Parenthood
The couple's relationship has evolved from a longstanding friendship and professional collaboration into romance and now impending parenthood. Plaza and Abbott first worked together as co-stars in the 2020 psychological drama Black Bear and the Off-Broadway production Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.
Their romantic connection first became public in July 2025, approximately six months after the tragic death of Plaza's estranged husband, screenwriter and film director Jeff Baena. Baena died by suicide in January 2025 at age 47, with his body discovered at his Los Angeles home by his dog walker.
First Public Appearance Since Announcement
Despite generally keeping their relationship private, Plaza and Abbott made their first joint public appearance since the pregnancy announcement on Thursday evening. The couple attended the exclusive afterparty for the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's classic play Death of a Salesman.
A confidential source recently revealed to People magazine that the expecting parents are anticipating the arrival of their child during the autumn season. "It was a beautiful surprise after an emotional year. They feel very blessed," the insider shared about the pregnancy news.
Navigating Grief and Finding Happiness
Plaza has been candid about the profound challenges she has faced following her former husband's death. During an emotional conversation on her Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast, Plaza described her ongoing grief as a "daily struggle".
The actress offered a poignant metaphor for her emotional journey, comparing her grief to the treacherous landscape depicted in the film The Gorge. "At all times there's like a giant ocean of awfulness, that's right there and I can see it. Sometimes I just want to dive into it, and just be in it," Plaza explained. "Then sometimes I just look at it, and sometimes I try to get away from it. But, it's always there."
Finding Inspiration and Moving Forward
Despite her personal challenges, Plaza has found inspiration from her grandmother's resilient philosophy. During a recent appearance on the Today show promoting her children's book Luna And The Witch Throw A Halloween Party, the actress reflected on this influential wisdom.
"She taught me from a very young age that life is a party and no matter what happens, we have to have fun and move forward, and so I think this book was inspired by that," Plaza revealed. "I think on both sides of my family, I have a lot of witchy women that raised me, so this is an homage to all the women in my life."
The pregnancy speculation initially began circulating last month when observers noted Plaza's fuller figure during Paris Fashion Week events in early March. Now confirmed, this new chapter represents a significant personal milestone for the actress following a year marked by both profound loss and emerging happiness.
