Paula Patton steps out without wedding ring for awards shows

Paula Patton returned to the spotlight for the first time since her headline-grabbing split from Robin Thicke by appearing at two glitzy Hollywood events without her wedding ring.

The actress and her pop star husband announced their separation last week (beg24Feb14), revealing their decision to end the marriage after nearly nine years.

Patton has remained out of the spotlight since the split news broke, but she returned to the public eye on Saturday night (01Mar14) to walk the red carpet at the Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles.

She was photographed without her wedding ring at the event.

Patton turned out for another awards bash the following night (02Mar14) by attending the 2014 Vanity Fair post-Oscars party, where she was again snapped without her wedding band. Patton attended the 2013 Vanity Fair party with Thicke by her side.