Corey Holcomb, Tracee Ellis Ross, And Misogynoir Disguised As Comedy

Here we go again—another ran through and unevolved  man using his platform to wage war on women under the tired guise of “jokes.” This time, it’s Corey Holcomb, a man whose entire brand seems to revolve around disrespecting Black women while hiding behind the shield of comedy. His latest target—the radiant, accomplished, and highly celebrated Tracee Ellis Ross.

The berating occurred after Ross recently sat down with former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, for their IMO podcast, where she spoke candidly about her dating preferences. The Black•ish star shared that at 52, she finds herself more aligned with younger men. But before anyone tries to twist that into some desperation narrative, Ross made it clear: it’s about peace, not puppets.

“A lot of men my age are steeped in toxic masculinity and have been raised in a culture where there is a particular way that a relationship looks… I did enough of it where I was controlled and felt like I was a possession—or a prize. And I have no interest in it. I will not do it again,” she said.

That’s called boundaries, beloved.

She also admitted to grieving the life she once imagined—marriage, children—but emphasized that grief isn’t a green light to settle for less than she deserves. “I still wouldn’t want the

partner… you have to make my life better. It can’t just be I’m in a relationship just to be in a relationship,” Ross added. 

Mature, thoughtful, and self-aware—the complete opposite of Corey Holcomb.

Holcomb, who clearly stays tuned into women’s conversations just to find new ways to be offended, wasted no time jumping on his 5150 podcast to criticize Ross for her preference. Instead of matching her thoughtful tone, the 58-year-old comedian resorted to mockery, calling her out of her name and adding that Ross is “past her best years,” before suggesting she has to “date puppies” to get attention, and implying she’s “stealing from young men’s futures.” 

Let’s not forget this is the same man who told Cam Newton last October that he prefers dating women in poverty because they’re easier to control. His exact words? “A girl who can’t afford to say ‘F**k you Corey, I’m gone.’ She just can’t afford to do it. So I take advantage of that.”

That’s not edgy; that’s predatory behavior, and the fact that he proudly admitted it on record is horrifying.

But here’s what Holcomb—and those cosigning his hypocrisy—fail to acknowledge: A significant portion of American adults have engaged in age-gap dating, with nearly four in ten (39%) having dated someone 10 years older or younger. (Heavy on the 10 years, not 20).  

A 2023 study by Psychology Today surveyed 200 heterosexual women in relationships, who happened to be about evenly divided between those who were significantly older than their male partners and  (22 years older on average), those who were significantly younger than their male partners (17 years younger on average), and those who were close in age to their partners (three years different on average). 

The survey discovered that out of those tested, women who were more than 10 years older than their male partners were actually the most satisfied with and committed to their relationships compared with women who were younger than their partners and women whose partners were close in age. 

So no, Tracee Ellis Ross isn’t breaking rules; she’s just not following the ones misogynists like Holcomb keep trying to enforce on women while excusing their own harmful behavior.

And let’s talk about the real reason Holcomb stays bitter; maybe it’s the fact that at 58, he’s single and not known for having any real stand-up chops nor will he ever be truly respected as a real comedian — an understandable emotional soft spot.

 Instead of perfecting his craft, Holcomb attempts to stay relevant by beefing with women. This is the same man who was accused of assaulting comedian Cristina Payne outside the Hollywood Improv in December 2024, allegedly threatening to punch her and then swinging on her after months of public harassment.

But sure, Corey, let’s discuss Tracee’s dating preferences.

The wildest part is that the pseudo-comedian went so far as to project his own issues onto Ross, assuming her reference to “younger men” automatically meant a 20-something; she said younger, Corey, not a child; let’s not lie for likes. 

The truth is, no one—man, woman, or otherwise—wants to date an unhealed person, especially not in their 40s and 50s. Holcomb and men like him would be better served putting down the podcast mics and picking up a therapy referral. Heal that inner child so you can stop bleeding on people who didn’t cut you.

Oh, and one last thing for Corey Holcomb: you will never, ever be Patrice O’Neal, so stop embarrassing yourself.

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