Rihanna Reportedly Left Michael Cera ‘Concussed’ After On-Set Slap
By fypfeed| Movies & TV | 9 July 2025
Michael Cera has revealed that an now-famous moment he shared along with Rihanna from the film comedy This is The End caused him to be temporarily concussed when the singer slapped him with a real.
It was a slap that occurred over 10 years ago while filming, is resurfacing after comments made by the director Seth Rogen and Cera himself and Cera himself, who both confirmed the slap seen on the screen was not staged.
An Unlikely Pairing
If asked to picture two stars on opposite sides on the spectrum a lot could choose Rihanna as well as Michael Cera.
Rihanna is a world-renowned popular singer and fashion celebrity, is famous for her bold attitude, intimidating stage presence, and a bold presence. In contrast, Michael Cera built his fame in Hollywood acting as awkward, nonchalant characters in films like Superbad as well as The Juno.
Cera gained notoriety in 2007, just a teenager due to his breakout performances in comedies with a quirky humour that defined a period of come-of-age films. His slack, unassuming delivery earned him a cult name with young audiences.
However, as his career grew, Cera started to play roles that challenged the “nice guy” image. Some of his most shocking instances was the 2013 film, The Apocalypse: It’s the End in which Cera appeared as a drug-fueled, exaggerated version of himself.
In the role he played that he discovered himself in the middle of a scandalous moment with Rihanna which was to be painful, but also unforgettable.
The Scene in Question
This is The End The film, which was produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg was a hit due to its outrageous humor and celeb appearances. The film featured Hollywood stars performing characters from their own lives as the world was stricken by an catastrophe that was apocalyptic in nature.
Cera’s appearance was quickly an instant highlight. He played the role of a stereotype, and played the image of a sexy, hedonistic person who dated Mindy Kaling, drank with reckless abandon, and bullied other guests.
The most memorable gag however, was Cera striking Rihanna on the back of her head and this was immediately retaliated against.
To the public, it seemed like a scripted, over-the-top moment. However, according to the people who were at the set, this scene was quite real.
Seth Rogen Reveals What Happened
In an interview in 2014 on Sway’s universe the director Seth Rogen shed light on how the scene was put together.
“In the script, Michael Cera slaps Rihanna’s ass and she doesn’t hit him back,” Rogen explained. “But he asked her, ‘Can I slap your ass for real?'”
To his delight, Rihanna agreed – but only if she would be a good sport and respond.
“She said, ‘You can slap my ass for real if I can slap you back in the face for real,'” Rogen remembered.
They struck a deal and the cameras began rolling. The crew recorded the exchange several times – around three or four times, according Rogen – and every time Rihanna hit Cera with great force.
“She cupped his ear and actually whacked out his equilibrium,” Rogen told me. “He had to go lay down in his trailer for around half an hour.”
The version that was used in the film’s final version was authentic. “That’s the take we used in the movie,” Rogen said. “We didn’t add any sound to that or anything.”
The director joked about how the impact could have caused Cera with a mild concussion.
Michael Cera’s Own Account
To his credit, Cera later described the incident with humour and gratitude. When speaking to GQ Cera said that he was actively encouraging Rihanna not to be shy.
“Yeah, I mean she definitely hit me, but I really wanted that, you know?” He explained.
“I think it’s a lot funnier and a lot more convincing… a fake slap just doesn’t look good.”
The actor said that Rihanna’s strength led him “flying” and caused real discomfort – but he thought it worth the effort.
“She really sent me flying, and it was great,” Cera declared. “And now it’s on film forever, this pain that I experienced.”
Why It Resonated
The scene has since been an extremely talked about moments from “This is The End”. While the film featured a variety of bizarre scenes – such as Jonah Hill being possessed by the demon, Channing Tatum appearing as the masked, submissive pet along with The Backstreet Boys performing in heaven The slap of Rihanna was notable because of its authenticity.
For viewers, the realization of the fact that this exchange appeared authentic was a bonus to the comedy impact. What seemed to be a typical physical gag was in reality an unscripted conversation with two performers who were dedicated to making the gag as hilarious as they could.
The fans praised Rihanna for her stoic response, and Cera because of his determination to take on the discomfort of comedy. The incident has been discussed on fan forums, in online forums, discussions and retrospectives of both celebrities careers.
A Study in Contrasts
A large part of the scene’s appeal is the vying of characters that it was able to portray.
Rihanna with her confident and assertive style she displayed the same grit and determination on stage that she has displayed for years in her career as a musician. The decision to take retaliation instead of being the object of a gag was a reflection of her belief in equality and agency – even in a humorous setting.
Cera however did not shy away from his renown for self-deprecating humor and awkwardness. In pledging to give an actual smack Cera emphasized his dedication to authenticity in his performance and also highlighted the ridiculous ways actors go to get to have a laugh.
Broader Cultural Context
The incident also prompts an examination of the role of realism within comedy. Physical gags have been the norm in comedy all the way from Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to the modern era of improvised comedy. The thing that makes the Rihanna-Cera scene unique is the fact that it wasn’t completely choreographed or scripted.
In a time when viewers are more and more aware of the events that take place in the background, films such as this blur the lines between reality and performance. The fact that Rihanna’s slap is not fake is a new layer of intrigue to a film that is already renowned for its ability to push the boundaries.
Additionally, the sequence is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the interactions between celebrities. This is The End was a success because of the concept of actors performing exaggerated versions of themselves. Through allowing their interactions to be both genuine and humorous, Rihanna and Cera contributed to one of the best scenes.
Legacy of the Scene
A decade years later, the slap is still to be mentioned in discussions about the careers of both actors. For Rihanna she is remembered as a tiny but iconic image of her uncompromising character. For Cera this is a sign of his determination to go against the grain and break out of the boundaries of his previous roles.
The film is also a popular story in interviews with the crew and actors, illustrating the chaotic, collaborative energy that was the basis the film “This Is The Last”.
Although Cera might have experienced the effects of a severe hit, the event ultimately enhanced the comedy of the film and established as one of the more memorable comedic appearances by celebrities of the decade.
Conclusion
In Hollywood where the majority of scenes are choreographed, rehearsed and meticulously staged It is the scenes that aren’t scripted that leave the most lasting impression.
Michael Cera’s choice to ask Rihanna for an actual slap and Rihanna’s enthusiastic reaction made what might have been a simple gag into a resounding moment in comedy history.
For Cera the incident could have resulted in temporary disorientation, and possibly an unintentional concussion. For Rihanna she was able to prove yet again that she would never be second best to anyone, even in a fictitious future apocalypse.
For the audience, it made sure the audience that It was The End lived up its status to be one of the best memorable and shocking comedies of the time.
