Corey Holcomb is feeling the heat, and he’s pointing the finger directly at TMZ for his current professional downfall.
The comedian, who has long been a polarizing figure in the industry, claims the media giant has effectively ruined his life by circulating footage of an incident where he hit comedian Cristina Payne.
While Holcomb previously denied the accusations that he punched Payne in the face, the release of the video has created a firestorm of “bad optics” that he says is costing him his livelihood. According to Holcomb, the fallout has been swift and severe, leading to a string of cancellations that has left his schedule looking lighter than ever.
The comedian didn’t hold back his sarcasm or his frustration when discussing the state of his career during a recent broadcast. “While I’m, you know, I haven’t been working a lot of my gigs. I lost a lot of my gigs so by the way thank you TMZ I lost another gig today Gary Indiana on the boat that y’all got me good y’all got me good y’all got me good I’m losing gigs people are saying Corey the optics of that video yeah y’all got me good TMZ I’m about to be out here on welfare. I’m about to be out here on welfare,” Holcomb shared, highlighting the immediate impact on his bank account. He continued to vent about the loss of his brand’s momentum, stating, “Somebody got to explain why I ain’t got nothing no more. You’re not gonna be able to buy any more Hocula. Can you buy Hocula? Nope. Because the jacket that you were looking at I’m gonna have Pro Club Ula cost sixteen hundred dollars. That’s funny.”
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Holcomb seems more focused on the business side of the betrayal. “Yeah man I lost a gig today when they told me this one canceled too I was like god damn I done lost some real. You did. 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 TMC you see what you caused to something about that.”
As the industry continues to react to the footage, it remains to be seen if Holcomb can bounce back or if the “TMZ effect” has permanently closed the doors on his major venue appearances.
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
So many don’t like accountability. That’s all.