Aubrey Plaza Scores First Gig Months After Husband’s Death

Aubrey Plaza is making a daring return to the massive display by portraying considered one of Hollywood’s most notorious figures, Heidi Fleiss.

The daring position marks the actress’s first gig since her estranged husband, Jeff Baena, tragically ended his life in January. The previous couple quietly separated in September 2024 however had stayed in contact till the director’s passing.

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena have been collectively for a complete of 13 years. They dated for ten years, whereas their marriage lasted three years from 2021 to 2024. They didn’t welcome any youngsters throughout their union.

In line with new studies, Plaza has been chosen to star because the notorious “Hollywood Madam” in a brand new film. She is about to painting Fleiss, who gained notoriety for working an enormous high-end prostitution ring in Los Angeles.

The position, Plaza’s first challenge since her estranged husband’s loss of life, marks Leah Rachel’s directorial debut. The director, alongside Rachel Sennott and Travis Jackson, co-wrote the script, whereas Jessamine Burgum and Kara Durrett’s manufacturing firm, Pinky Promise, will produce it.

Plaza, per Variety, can also be credited because the film’s producer via her firm Evil Hag. Djinous Rowling is reportedly casting key roles as manufacturing is slated to start out in Los Angeles throughout the coming months. The actress final appeared in “Megalopolis,” “My Previous Ass,” and Marvel’s “Agatha All Alongside.”

In line with The Daily Mail, Plaza’s new challenge, “The Heidi Fleiss Story,” is a biopic that follows the tumultuous remaining days earlier than Fleiss fell from grace in 1993. The infamous Madam reportedly tried to make use of her highly effective connections to keep away from prosecution with the assistance of a poor, younger author named Jaclyn.

The film will function a darkish comedian tone to seize Fleiss’s rise and downfall because the chief of an upscale prostitution ring. The disgraced madam’s unlawful enterprise reportedly had quite a few A-list shoppers, from celebrities to Hollywood showrunners and influential businessmen.

Fleiss, nicknamed the “Hollywood Madam,” was believed to have inherited the operation from Elizabeth Adams. The latter was her former lover and mentor, often known as “Madam Alex.”

The prostitution ring turned recognized in June 1993 when Fleiss was arrested and finally indicted on a number of prices, together with pandering, tax evasion, and cash laundering.

Days after Plaza’s estranged husband took his life on January 3, 2025, she was scheduled to current on the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. Nonetheless, she skipped the occasion on account of her grief, with The Blast reporting that she broke her silence about Baena’s loss of life in a press release.

“That is an unimaginable tragedy. We’re deeply grateful to everybody who has provided help. Please respect our privateness throughout this time,” Plaza’s rep shared. Director Brady Corbet additionally drew consideration to her ache on the Golden Globes whereas accepting the award for Greatest Director.

Corbet concluded his speech with a shout-out to the actress, saying: “My coronary heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s household.” Plaza and Baena had a terrific relationship as lovers and collaborators, with the actress starring in a number of of his tasks like “The Little Hours,” “Life After Beth,” and “Spin Me Spherical.”

Baena’s reason behind loss of life, per the LA County Medical Examiner’s Workplace, was suicide by hanging. His physique was found on the Los Feliz property he bought with Plaza in 2022. A month after the tragic incident, his estranged spouse returned to the highlight.

The Blast lined the story, sharing that Plaza made a shock look on the “Saturday Night time Dwell” fiftieth anniversary particular. She launched Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard for his or her efficiency on the occasion, with a clip of the second going viral on X.

Many celebrated Plaza’s comeback after the devastating lack of her former associate, labeling her “courageous” for returning to the highlight. The TV character re-emerged weeks after notable figures within the business, like director Chad Hartigan, mourned her estranged husband’s passing.