The cast of Conclave had a night to remember at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards as they celebrated their big win for Best Ensemble. The prestigious award, considered the most significant honour of the evening, was presented by Harrison Ford, who later joined the cast backstage for their victory lap.
A Standing Ovation and Backstage Applause
As Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow, and the rest of the Conclave team made their way backstage at the Shrine Auditorium, they received another round of applause from SAG Awards staff. This was in addition to the enthusiastic standing ovation they had already received from the audience in the ballroom.
The legendary Harrison Ford, who handed them the award, walked alongside them.
Stars from different generations, including nominees and other winners, stopped to congratulate them.
The Associated Press followed the cast as they navigated their backstage obligations.
Unforgettable Moments with Hollywood Icons
Ariana Grande’s Heartfelt Praise
Conclave had been competing against Wicked for Best Ensemble, but that didn’t stop Ariana Grande from expressing her excitement for their win. As she passed by Ralph Fiennes, she stopped to offer her congratulations.
“Yay, congratulations! I was really happy for you guys—I was screaming!”
She then introduced Fiennes to her date, Broadway star Ethan Slater.
Jane Fonda’s Surprise Encounter
As the cast collected their official SAG statuettes (the ones on stage are just props), legendary actress Jane Fonda, the night’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, approached them.
“Are you guys just hanging out at the bar?” she joked.
Fiennes responded playfully, “I’m waiting for you, Jane Fonda!” before taking a moment to praise her passionate speech on political issues.
Timothée Chalamet Joins the Celebration
Fresh off his own victory for Best Male Actor in A Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet arrived to collect his award and quickly greeted the Conclave team.
“Hey Ralph, how’s it going? I was hoping I’d see you guys!”
This unexpected win by Chalamet and Conclave shook up predictions for the upcoming Oscars, as both Fiennes and Rossellini are also nominated. The presumed frontrunner, Anora, left the ceremony empty-handed.
Backstage Fun and Photo Ops
The Conclave cast moved through their media obligations, signing posters and taking professional photos. Even seasoned actors couldn’t help but comment on the weight of the SAG Awards statuette, which is known to be particularly heavy.
Ralph Fiennes (62 years old) playfully lifted his trophy like a dumbbell.
John Lithgow (79 years old) held his award high above his head.
Meanwhile, Lithgow’s wife, Mary Yeager, a UCLA business professor, found a quiet spot to sit after the long evening.
A Special Moment with Firefighters
Before heading to the official after-party, Lithgow posed with a group of Los Angeles firefighters, who had been honoured during the ceremony for their efforts in combating recent wildfires. The audience gave the firefighters a well-deserved standing ovation earlier in the evening.
Inside the Star-Studded SAG Awards Ballroom
The SAG Awards are unique in that only actors are nominated, creating an event filled with Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Demi Moore (Best Female Actor winner) was seen chatting with Adrien Brody (Best Male Actor nominee) on their way to the restrooms.
Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldblum were spotted deep in conversation.
The honoured firefighters seized the opportunity to take photos with the stars, stopping by Ariana Grande’s table before eventually chatting with Ford.
A Night of Celebration and Union Solidarity
Beyond the glitz and glamour, the SAG Awards also served as a union meeting. Throughout the evening, actors were reminded to support their fellow industry professionals, particularly those still striking in the video game sector. SAG’s Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland also spoke about the dangers of AI in the entertainment industry.
“As I look out at our guests, I see some of the most deep-faked people in the world.”
The night concluded with the winners heading to the official after-party, where they had their awards engraved. With the Oscars just a week away, this unexpected shake-up at the SAG Awards has left fans and critics eagerly awaiting the final results.
Key Takeaways:
Conclave won Best Ensemble, a major SAG Awards honour.
Hollywood stars like Harrison Ford, Ariana Grande, and Jane Fonda celebrated with them.
Timothée Chalamet’s win added excitement to the upcoming Oscars.
The event highlighted the importance of union solidarity and AI regulations.
The night ended with heartfelt tributes to Los Angeles firefighters.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Oscars approach!