Amy Schumer used her trademark blunt humor to draw attention to her experience filming an intimate scene with John Cena in the 2015 romantic comedy Trainwreck. During interviews, she jokingly exaggerated the moment by claiming that Cena was “actually inside her,” a deliberately outrageous comment that immediately grabbed public interest. Her remark was not meant to be taken literally, but rather served as an example of how she transforms potentially awkward or uncomfortable situations into comedic material. The joke quickly became part of the film’s promotional narrative, reinforcing Schumer’s reputation for fearless, unfiltered humor. Audiences were both amused and curious, as the comment highlighted the contrast between the polished final product on screen and the strange realities of filming intimate scenes. This blend of shock value and humor helped keep Trainwreck in the cultural conversation beyond its release.
In Trainwreck, Schumer plays Amy, a woman who avoids commitment and embraces casual relationships, a personality shaped by her upbringing and worldview. John Cena portrays Steven, an extremely muscular, fitness-obsessed man who briefly becomes one of Amy’s romantic partners. The pairing itself is played for laughs, relying on the stark contrast between Schumer’s character and Cena’s exaggerated physical presence. Schumer’s comedic style—direct, self-aware, and unapologetically crude—adds a distinctive edge to the film. This same tone carries into her interviews, where she often blurs the line between performance and sincerity. By discussing the scene openly and humorously, she extended the comedy beyond the movie, making the promotional cycle feel like an extension of her stand-up persona.
While promoting the film, Schumer leaned heavily into visual exaggeration to describe filming the scene with Cena. She memorably compared his muscular backside to “a whole universe,” an image that humorously emphasized his size and strength. She also joked that lying underneath him felt like being crushed by “a refrigerator,” turning physical discomfort into an absurd mental picture. These comments resonated because they highlighted the physical reality of acting opposite someone with such an imposing build. Rather than framing the scene as glamorous or sexy, Schumer portrayed it as awkward and overwhelming. Her willingness to describe the moment in such unflattering terms reinforced her comedic authenticity and made audiences feel as though they were in on the joke.
Schumer further leaned into self-deprecation by poking fun at her own role in the scene. She joked that she handled it the same way she “normally” does during sex—by simply lying there. This comment played on stereotypes while also subverting expectations, turning vulnerability into humor. Fans responded positively to this level of honesty, as it aligned with Schumer’s broader comedic brand of exposing insecurities and uncomfortable truths. Rather than presenting herself as confident or seductive, she emphasized passivity and awkwardness, which many viewers found relatable. This approach helped demystify on-screen intimacy, suggesting that even scenes meant to appear passionate can feel mechanical or strange for the actors involved.
John Cena also addressed the scene in interviews, offering his own perspective on the experience. In a 2015 appearance with Conan O’Brien, he explained that the scene was deliberately designed to be uncomfortable for viewers, using exaggeration and awkwardness as a comedic tool. He emphasized the level of professionalism required, noting that filming intimate scenes involves strict choreography, clear boundaries, and a room full of crew members. Later, on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Cena reiterated that such scenes are far from romantic, describing the presence of cameras, lighting, and crew as inherently embarrassing. He credited Schumer with helping ease the tension through humor, highlighting the importance of trust and collaboration between actors in such situations.