In a candid revelation on the SmartLess podcast, actress Aubrey Plaza disclosed that she and fellow actor Michael Cera nearly tied the knot in Las Vegas during a drug-induced cross-country road trip. The 41-year-old Parks and Recreation star explained that the impulsive plan was hatched while both were consuming cannabis edibles, leading to a comedic scheme that ultimately fell apart due to paranoia and Cera's high-profile status at the time.
The Cannabis-Fueled Road Trip and Wedding Scheme
Aubrey Plaza and Michael Cera, who dated after meeting on the set of the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, embarked on an adventurous drive across America. According to Plaza, they consumed a bag of edibles during the journey, which sparked the idea of getting married in Las Vegas purely as a humorous stunt. The actress recounted, "We drove to Vegas with a plan to get married and then get divorced right away so we could call each other our ex-wife and ex-husband forever." She added that they believed this would be "a really good bit," highlighting the lighthearted and unconventional nature of their relationship.
Why the Wedding Plans Fell Apart
Despite their initial enthusiasm, the couple did not go through with the ceremony. Plaza attributed this to a combination of being "too high and paranoid" and Cera's immense fame during that period, particularly following his role in Superbad. She described a chaotic scene at a county office, saying, "I feel like we got in line at the county office or something and then everyone started running and we ran. That's kind of all I remember of what happened... I'm pretty sure that's how it went down, we bailed." This account underscores how their altered state and public recognition thwarted their plans.
Michael Cera's Version of Events
Michael Cera has previously shared a similar story, though he omitted mention of the edibles. In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, the Superbad actor recalled that while driving through Las Vegas, they "almost just spontaneously took a detour and got married." He mentioned searching for an Elvis-style chapel to obtain a marriage certificate, with the intention of divorcing immediately to humorously refer to each other as ex-spouses. Cera noted, "I think the idea was to then get a divorce right away, so we could call each other my ex-husband and my ex-wife at like... 20," aligning with Plaza's narrative of a playful, short-lived union.
Life After the Relationship
Aubrey Plaza and Michael Cera eventually parted ways, but they remain on good terms, with Plaza expressing, "We're still very good friends, I love him so much." Following their split, Plaza married filmmaker Jeff Baena in 2021. Tragically, their marriage ended in separation in 2024, and Baena died by suicide in January 2025 at the age of 47. Plaza has since moved on and is now in a relationship with actor Chris Abbott, with whom she is expecting her first child.
Embracing Motherhood and Future Plans
During the podcast, Plaza opened up about her impending motherhood, sharing her excitement and curiosity about the experience. She said, "There's a baby inside of me right now... I've always wanted to see what that's all about you know. It seems so interesting that whole thing." The actress also revealed that she has relocated to New York and plans to raise her child on the East Coast, citing proximity to her family in Philadelphia and Delaware as a key factor. Plaza explained, "One of reasons I came back here was for that so I could get on a train and go home," indicating a thoughtful approach to her new chapter as a parent.
