Joey Diaz was mad at Natalie Cuomo for a Year!

In this raw and hilarious episode of *The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament*, Joey Diaz opens up about his year-long feud with comedian Natalie Cuomo, sparked by her engagement and the photos she shared of her boyfriend. What started as playful jealousy—Joey imagined driving to her show in Pennsylvania to confront her—evolved into a deep, comedic meditation on love, identity, and the absurdity of comedy as a career. He shares his anxieties about being a comic, the toll of touring, and the mental toll of constant self-examination, revealing how his own neuroses fuel his act. The conversation shifts to the realities of the comedy world: the lies about ticket sales, the exploitation of performers, and the emotional labor of maintaining a persona. Natalie, in turn, shares her journey from acting to stand-up, her struggles with audience perception, and her unique approach to comedy as both art and survival. The episode culminates in a powerful exchange about resilience, self-worth, and the importance of not letting online hate dictate your value—especially when you’ve already survived a lifetime of chaos. Key takeaways include: 1) Your mental health and quirks are your comedic fuel, not your flaw; 2) Never let a club owner or agent dictate your worth—know your value and demand it; 3) The audience isn’t always right, and hecklers are just people with their own pain; 4) The real power move is walking into a room like you’re the headliner, even if you’re not; 5) Comedy is a lifelong grind, but every bomb teaches you something; 6) Authenticity trumps polish—your weirdness is your brand; 7) Never underestimate the power of a well-timed whistle or a stolen shoe; 8) The best revenge is success, not violence.