Helen Hunt and Daughter Make Rare Public Appearance at Paris Fashion Week

The actress and her musician daughter Makena Lei Carnahan attended the Stella McCartney show.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Veteran actress Helen Hunt and her daughter Makena Lei Carnahan, a guitarist and vocalist for the indie band Widemouth, made their first high-profile public appearance together in six years at the Stella McCartney Fall/Winter 2026-27 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.

Why it matters

The joint appearance of the mother-daughter duo, who have largely kept their personal life private, is notable as it marks a rare moment of them stepping out together in the public eye after several years of low-profile.

The details

Makena, who is based in Chicago, is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the indie folk/rock band Widemouth, which she co-founded about two years ago. The band has been playing shows around the Midwest and East Coast.

  • Helen Hunt and her daughter Makena Lei Carnahan attended the Stella McCartney fashion show on March 5, 2026.

The players

Helen Hunt

An acclaimed American actress known for her roles in films like As Good as It Gets, Cast Away, and The Sessions.

Makena Lei Carnahan

The daughter of Helen Hunt and a guitarist/vocalist for the indie band Widemouth, based in Chicago.

Widemouth

An indie folk/rock band co-founded by Makena Lei Carnahan, which has been playing shows around the Midwest and East Coast for the past two years.

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The takeaway

The rare joint public appearance of Helen Hunt and her daughter Makena highlights the actress's efforts to maintain a low-profile family life, even as her daughter pursues a music career in the indie rock scene.