Former adult film star Lisa Ann recently made headlines again following renewed attention surrounding her controversial encounter with comedian Matt Rife.
The incident dates back to February 2024, when Lisa Ann was escorted out of Rife’s comedy performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in handcuffs.
The incident attracted widespread attention after videos of her being detained circulated online. Lisa claimed that she was unfairly removed from the venue over allegations that she had used her cellphone during the performance.
However, police reportedly described the situation differently, saying they had responded to a complaint about disorderly behavior.
The controversy resurfaced in November 2026 after Lisa publicly criticized Matt for allegedly showing footage of the incident before his performances. Rife responded sarcastically, reigniting their public disagreement.
Although their names have frequently appeared together in headlines, the story is primarily about a public dispute rather than a confirmed romantic relationship. Here is what happened during Lisa Ann’s detention and what is known about her connection with Matt Rife.
What Happened to Lisa Ann? Arrested at Matt Rife’s Comedy Show
The incident involving Lisa Ann happened on February 4, 2024, at Radio City Music Hall, where she attended a comedy show featuring Matt Rife.
According to her account, Lisa was sitting in the second row with two friends when venue staff approached her approximately 20 minutes into the performance. She claimed that staff members accused her of using her cellphone, which violated the show’s rules.
Lisa denied using her phone and maintained that she was simply enjoying the performance. However, the situation escalated when New York Police Department officers became involved and escorted her out of the venue in handcuffs.
She later shared footage of the incident on social media, expressing frustration over how she had been treated. Lisa claimed that she spent approximately 45 minutes in handcuffs before being evaluated by paramedics.
Importantly, despite headlines describing the incident as an arrest, Lisa was ultimately released without a criminal charge or citation.
Why Was Lisa Ann Detained by the NYPD?
There were different accounts of what led to Lisa Ann’s removal from Matt Rife’s comedy show.
Lisa maintained that she had not used her cellphone during the performance. She said one of her friends had checked a text message, but she denied personally violating the venue’s rules.
However, the NYPD reportedly received a complaint about someone behaving disruptively during the show. According to the police account report, officers believed Lisa appeared intoxicated and was behaving erratically. Venue representatives also reportedly described her behavior as disorderly.
Lisa disputed the allegations and expressed disappointment over how the situation was handled.
She was eventually released without being charged or receiving a citation. Therefore, the incident is more accurately described as a detention and removal from the venue rather than a criminal arrest resulting in charges. TMZ+1
Lisa Ann and Matt Rife’s Relationship: Are They Dating?
Lisa Ann and Matt Rife’s connection has attracted attention because of their association before and during the 2024 comedy-show controversy.
However, there is no reliable public evidence establishing that the two were romantically involved or dating.
According to TMZ’s February 2024 report, Lisa Ann and Matt had previously hosted a radio show together but had not met in person before the Radio City Music Hall incident. Lisa was reportedly excited about attending his performance and potentially meeting him afterward.
Their relationship is therefore better understood as a professional and public association rather than a confirmed romantic relationship.
The controversy surrounding their interaction also brought their names together in entertainment headlines, leading to questions about their personal connection.
Lisa Ann and Matt Rife Renew Their Feud in November 2026
The controversy returned to the headlines on November 7, 2026, when Lisa Ann had publicly criticized Matt Rife over his alleged use of footage showing her being detained at his comedy performance.
Lisa discussed the matter during an appearance on the Veterans Minimum podcast. She claimed that Matt had been showing the video before his performances over the past year, which continued to generate messages and questions from people who recognized her from the incident.
She also claimed that she had been banned from properties owned by James Dolan because of facial-recognition technology. These reportedly included the Las Vegas Sphere.
Matt responded to her criticism with a sarcastic remark, joking that he had her removed because he was too nervous to perform in front of her. He also maintained that she had been removed for breaking the venue’s rules.
The exchange brought renewed attention to an incident that had originally taken place nearly three years earlier. Neither side’s recent comments establish a romantic relationship between them.