SAG Awards 2020: Jennifer Aniston 'wanted to be Wonder Woman' and more fun from backstage

Bryan Alexander and Andrea Mandell, USA TODAY

There was so much more that happened at Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards than what you saw on TV.

Sure, you saw Robert De Niro get political, Brad Pitt joke about his latest achieement ("I'm going to add this to my Tinder profile") and Laura Dern got emotional after her win ("Now I'm emotional because I got to hug my dad," she said of Bruce Dern, who was there too). But when the stars arrived backstage, they got real about everything from their fantasy superhero roles to bad career advice.

Here's what you missed from the likes of Pitt, Aniston, Williams and the "Parasite" cast.

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Brad Pitt was genuinely 'moved' by his award

In the press room, Brad Pitt shows off his SAG award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
In the press room, Brad Pitt shows off his SAG award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

Pitt cracked jokes on the SAG Awards stage. But he struck a serious tone backstage, saying how touched he was to receive the best-actor award.

"It means a lot coming from my people, who know what it means to slog though a 16-hour day. I've been at this for a while and made a lot of friends along the way," said Pitt. "It was never my focus, but I’m surprised how much I’m moved by it."

The "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" star then waxed on about his special relationship with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, who could "turn it up to 11" on set. "Leo and I kind of popped at the same time; we've crossed paths. We have the same reference points.There were a lot of laughs," said Pitt. "I think we should do buddy road movies next."

SAG Awards 2020: 'Parasite' wins best cast, Renee Zellweger and Joaquin Phoenix take acting honors

Jennifer Aniston said she once 'wanted to be Wonder Woman'

Aniston arrived backstage in shock after her win. "I’m shaking. I did not see that coming at all," she said.

What direction does she want her career to go in now? "l wanted to be Wonder Woman, but I waited too long," she said, grinning. "I have a lot to do! I honestly feel like I’m kicking into a creative stride. I just discovered a real love of this in a new way that I didn't know that I had before. I have almost new eyes that I’m seeing what it is I do as an actor."

But look for comedy alongside dramas like "The Morning Show." "I want to do more comedies though," she said. "I’m ready to have some laughter."

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Michelle Williams opened up about bad advice

Williams mulled what her next career move could look like. "I don’t have a job for the next year," she said, gesturing to her pregnancy. "I have something else I have to go do, so I’ll be busy at home." But she did note "Fosse/Verdon," in which she got to dance, sing and age more than three decades, is "a hard act to follow."

After advocating so loudly for parity in the industry, does Williams have advice for younger female actors?

Michelle Williams poses in the press room with the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or miniseries for "Fosse/Verdon".
Michelle Williams poses in the press room with the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or miniseries for "Fosse/Verdon".

"To not take advice," she said pointedly. "Especially from business people. Be true to yourself and follow the instincts and urges that arise uniquely inside of you. And to not live … to make somebody else happy."

The 'Parasite' cast weighed in on making history

On Sunday, "Parasite" became the first non-English language film to win best ensemble cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Backstage, they weighed in on the Korean film's incredible popularity. "I think this film resonated with a lot of people because (in) any society these days you have the haves and have-nots," said actor Song Kang-ho via translator. "You have those who are needy and those who are well off. And in every society you have those groups constantly existing with one another. … I think that’s why the film has gained so much sympathy from people all over the world."

So, will "Parasite" make history at the Oscars on Feb. 9, where it's is nominated for best picture?

“It is true that the momentum is building and we are a part of the awards race," acknowledged director Bong Joon-ho. "But I think today was truly important that these actors were acknowledge by their fellow peers. That’s the greatest joy of this night. In regards to the Oscars, who knows? No one can predict what will happen.”

SAG Awards 2020: Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt photographed celebrating SAG Award wins backstage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SAG Awards: Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston get real backstage after wins