In a disturbing development from the world of comedy, newly released surveillance video appears to depict the alleged assault of comedian Cristina Payne by fellow stand-up Corey Holcomb. The footage, obtained and released by The Bizi Room, has brought renewed attention to an incident first reported in late 2024.
Shocking Footage from Hollywood Improv
The video allegedly shows the altercation that took place outside the Hollywood Improv comedy club on December 10, 2024. It captures Holcomb, aged 56, arguing with Payne on the sidewalk before he lunges forward and appears to punch her in the face. Payne stumbles back from the impact before another man intervenes, pulling Holcomb into the street and seemingly striking him.
Escalation and Conflicting Accounts
The situation quickly escalates as Holcomb and several other men wrestle the intervener to the ground, where they appear to punch and kick him repeatedly. This visual account starkly contrasts with Holcomb's version of events, filed in a court response on February 3, 2025. He denied punching Payne, claiming instead that she was the aggressor who hit him while his back was turned, and that he merely pushed her back after she stepped toward him.
Payne's description in her restraining order request, obtained by The Daily Mail, tells a different story. She wrote that Holcomb asked her, 'What the f*** are you looking at b****?' before allegedly patting a handgun in his pants pocket and cursing at her. Despite attempts by others, including a club security guard, to separate them, Payne claims Holcomb got around them and punched her in the face. 'The impact caused me to stumble,' she stated. 'It would have knocked me down had others not been there to help.'
Aftermath and Emotional Interview
In a Friday interview with TMZ, Payne became emotional, tearing up as she discussed the alleged assault and its aftermath. She claimed to be afraid to leave her home, alleging that Holcomb has been harassing her in the months since the incident. Payne also reiterated her claim that she saw Holcomb carrying a gun on the night in question, a detail she first mentioned in her restraining order request weeks after the alleged fight.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Fear
Both Payne and Holcomb filed for and received temporary restraining orders against each other following the incident, with both orders remaining in effect through April of this year. Payne expressed frustration in her interview, suggesting Holcomb had 'confused the judge' to obtain his order and that she only received a copy of the surveillance video the day after their court hearing.
She described a pattern of behaviour, alleging Holcomb had threatened to 'super sock' her in July 2024, which made her particularly frightened when she saw him in December. Payne also claimed her attorney 'gave up' after the hearing due to critical statements Holcomb allegedly made about her.
Context and Missing Evidence
Payne provided context for the evening, explaining that she and Holcomb had been 'roasting' each other outside the Improv, a common post-show tradition among comedians that she said had been going on 'every Monday for the past 30 years.' She alleged the released video doesn't show Holcomb passing his gun to another female comedian prior to the altercation, expressing hope that a longer version might exist.
Regarding law enforcement involvement, Payne stated that police didn't follow up on her original report about the alleged assault. When asked if she would contact authorities now that video evidence exists, she struggled to speak through tears. 'I feel like Corey has threatened or tried to silence me,' she said. 'I've been in fear for my life, literally. Not able to leave the house sometimes.'
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for both Payne and Holcomb for comment but has not yet received a response. The newly surfaced video adds a visual dimension to what was previously a he-said-she-said legal dispute, though Holcomb's filed response continues to deny the central allegation of him punching Payne in the face.
