A new update has surfaced in the ongoing allegations involving comedian Corey Holcomb and fellow comic Cristina Payne, as surveillance footage that appears to show Holcomb punching Payne in the face continues to spread online. Payne is now speaking out publicly to TMZ, saying she fears for her safety.
Talk of the alleged dispute between the comics, which reportedly took place outside the Hollywood Improv in December 2024, has resurfaced after what appears to be a video of it emerged via The Bizi Room. The clip shows what looks to be a confrontation between the two comics in the street. In the clip, Holcomb and Payne appear to argue in front of a crowd before Holcomb seemingly throws a right-handed punch that hits Payne in the face, triggering a chaotic brawl moments later.
The incident was originally reported in 2024, with TMZ stating at the time that Holcomb was seen yelling at Payne and her friend outside the venue. Sources claimed that Holcomb threatened to punch Payne and that a random man tried to step in and stop it, but Holcomb allegedly swung anyway and made contact. Afterward, the situation reportedly escalated as people rushed in, with the confrontation turning physical in multiple directions before Holcomb fled.
Paramedics were reportedly called to check on Payne and the man who attempted to intervene. Police also responded and took a battery report, though no arrest was made at the time.
Now, as the video gains traction, Payne has added fresh context, claiming that the new video shows that Holcomb had a gun, which she says he passed to another performer.
On Friday, Payne appeared on TMZ Live, where she became emotional as she reacted to the footage becoming public. She told the outlet that Holcomb has been threatening her, claiming she now fears for her life. According to Payne, the situation has become so intense that she's scared to even step outside.
"I feel like Cory's like threatened or tried to silence me or like where it's like I've been in fear for my life, literally. I'm not able to leave the house sometimes." said Payne. "It's horrible the way he treats women, the way he talks about us, and then to the point where it's like, really, you're going to hit me because I'm telling you about God, and you need to change your ways. It's just horrible, and I'm just disappointed in how nothing was done."
She added, "That video really needs to start from when I walk out there initially instead of right there, because there's a gun involved that he passed off to another female comedian and was like 'Oh go put that up for me before he hit me.'"
Payne's emotional appearance comes as renewed attention swirls around what sparked the conflict in the first place. TMZ's earlier reporting linked the fallout to a feud that allegedly escalated during the summer of 2024, with sources claiming Holcomb made violent remarks about Payne and later confronted her in person.
As of now, Holcomb has not publicly responded to Payne's latest claims.