Aubrey Plaza’s journey to stardom has been anything but conventional. Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and born in 1984, Plaza first broke through with her signature deadpan delivery as April Ludgate on “Parks and Recreation.” Instead of letting that iconic role define her entire career, she’s consistently surprised audiences – one minute starring in quirky indie comedies, the next making dramatic left turns that remind everyone she’s got much more up her sleeve than just a straight face.
What’s always set Plaza apart, though, is the slippery boundary between her on-screen characters and her real-life persona. In interviews and appearances, she’s often equal parts mysterious and mischievous – sometimes you can’t quite tell if she’s joking, or if she really does see the world a little off-kilter. That tension gives her a magnetic quality, and fans have come to love her unpredictability as much as her performances.
Unlike many of her peers, Plaza has managed to dodge the circus side of celebrity life. She shows up on red carpets when she has to, pokes fun at Instagram, and rarely overshares online. Her social media presence is an extension of her weird sense of humor – one post might be a high-fashion photoshoot, the next a totally unfiltered behind-the-scenes moment. There’s a sense she’s making it up as she goes, and that it’s for her, not for the brand.
Finding Love Behind the Scenes
Plaza’s approach to relationships has always felt similarly authentic. She’s been with director Jeff Baena since 2011, and they’ve maintained a relatively low profile as a couple. Their 2021 marriage wasn’t announced with a splashy magazine spread; instead, Plaza nonchalantly let it slip on Instagram, referring to Baena as “my husband.” Even the ceremony itself was low-key – just the two of them, away from Hollywood frenzy.
What’s especially cool about their relationship is how seamlessly their personal and professional lives blend. They’ve teamed up on offbeat films like “Life After Beth,” “The Little Hours,” and “Spin Me Round,” creating work that feels distinctly theirs. Plaza has hinted before that the most lasting relationships are the ones built on shared passions – a sentiment that seems to play out in her life with Baena.
Before Jeff Baena, Plaza dated Michael Cera for a while after they bonded during the making of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” She’s spoken candidly in interviews about how serious it got – they even toyed with the idea of getting “spur of the moment” married in Vegas during a road trip across the country. Even though they ultimately went separate ways, there’s a sense of youthful spontaneity and friendship that clearly remains.
Unlike many stars, Plaza’s never leaned into relationship drama or used her love life for tabloid attention. Occasionally rumors surface – she’s been playfully linked to a few “Parks and Rec” co-stars – but they’ve always fizzled out, usually because Plaza refuses to fan those flames.
Her take on love and relationships is, unsurprisingly, a little unpredictable. In a 2016 interview, she compared dating to comedy: it’s about timing, rhythm, and knowing how to roll with the unexpected. That attitude seems to ground both her career and her personal life as she’s moved from her twenties into her thirties, taking risks, focusing on work she cares about, and drawing a clear line between what she shares and what she keeps private.
Past Relationships
Jeff Baena
Michael Cera
If anything, Plaza’s romantic history stands out not for its drama, but for its realness. She’s not turning her love life into a storyline for the tabloids, and there’s something refreshing about her refusal to perform for public consumption. In an industry obsessed with spin, Plaza’s low-drama approach feels like the most surprising move of all.