*Corey Holcomb says TMZ is responsible for him losing gigs after the outlet published surveillance footage of him attacking fellow performer Cristina Payne. The confrontation happened in December 2024, outside the Hollywood Improv.
The video released Thursday by The Bizi Room offers the first visual documentation of the incident, showing details that align with Payne’s account while contradicting Holcomb’s claims. Payne claims that she and Holcomb had been “roasting” each other outside the Improv before he took things too seriously and became angry. The recording shows the pair in a heated sidewalk exchange before Holcomb moves forward aggressively and appears to strike her face with his fist.
As Payne reels from the impact, one of Payne’s friends rushes to intervene, positioning himself protectively and dragging Holcomb toward the street. The confrontation intensifies as Holcomb and additional males force the intervening individual to the pavement, where several people encircle him and appear to kick and punch him repeatedly, though portions of the attack are obscured by their bodies. Payne claims the video doesn’t show when Holcomb allegedly passed a gun to a female comedian.
Cristina Payne says Corey Holcomb is lying about physically assaulting her outside a comedy club … and there’s footage to prove it
“Footage shows Corey Holcomb reaching over 2 people and punching me out”
?: @TMZ pic.twitter.com/f7IG0WBT38
— Block Topickz (formerly Glock Topickz) (@BlockTopickz) February 5, 2025
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Following the altercation, both performers sought temporary restraining orders against one another. Documentation secured by The Daily Mail reveals Payne’s account mirrors what the surveillance camera captured, whereas Holcomb refuted striking her and instead painted Payne as the instigator. The footage challenges Holcomb’s narrative, depicting someone matching his appearance advancing from the roadway onto the walkway, getting in Payne’s space, and hitting her while she holds her ground.
In an interview with TMZ, Payne grew visibly upset when addressing the incident and its consequences. She disclosed that authorities never pursued her assault complaint and struggled to articulate whether she would press charges given the new video evidence. Payne stated she feels Holcomb has attempted to intimidate her into silence, explaining she has experienced genuine fear for her safety and sometimes cannot bring herself to exit her home.
“‘I feel like Corey has threatened or tried to silence me. I’ve been in fear for my life, literally. Not able to leave the house sometimes,” she said.
Holcomb, however, has directed blame toward TMZ for his professional collapse following the video’s circulation. During a recent podcast discussion, he accused the outlet of destroying his livelihood by distributing footage of him hitting Payne, conduct he had previously denied. “I haven’t been working a lot of my gigs. I lost a lot of my gigs. So by the way, thank you, TMZ,” Holcomb stated, adding, “I lost another gig today. Gary, Indiana on the boat. I’m losing gigs.”
He continued expressing frustration over how the coverage has impacted his career prospects, claiming, “People are saying, Corey, the optics of that video. Yeah. Y’all get me good, TMZ. I’m about to be out here on welfare.”
Holcomb suggested the media outlet carries disproportionate influence with venue operators, stating, “All because it’s certain places that are ran by the people that will listen to a TMZ. I ain’t never lost no gigs before. Like, we have people saying stuff about me all the time. But when TMZ says it, oh, it must be true about this guy.”
Both restraining orders remain enforceable through April 2025. Payne told TMZ that Holcomb misled the judge to obtain his protective order, and she only gained access to the surveillance recording after the hearing related to the restraining order concluded.
Corey Holcomb says TMZ has ruined his life. He claims he can’t get any shows, and the ones he had are all being canceled. He blames them for releasing videos of him punching comedian Cristina Payne in the face — an accusation he previously denied.
‘Y’all got me good, TMZ. I’m… https://t.co/15CYpkvIh2 pic.twitter.com/ICSaef1Y8W
— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) February 6, 2026
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Comedian Corey Holcomb Seeks Restraining Order Against Cristina Payne
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