A US tech boss has been suspended and placed under investigation after a viral video appeared to show him embracing a senior colleague at a Coldplay concert.
The clip, filmed during the band’s show at Boston’s Gillette Stadium on July 16, shows the pair cuddling before realising they’ve been projected onto the big screen. The man quickly ducks out of view while the woman turns away and hides her face.
Astronomer, the software company at the centre of the drama, has confirmed its CEO Andy Byron has been suspended while an investigation takes place.
In a statement, the company said: "Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability," it said.
"The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly."
Coldplay’s Kiss Cam accidentally exposed an alleged affair between the Astronomer CEO and the head of HR. pic.twitter.com/lU4t8VJutK
— Too Recklss (@TooRecklss) July 17, 2025
Astronomer added that no other employees were involved in the video, and denied reports that Byron had released a statement. "Reports saying otherwise are all incorrect," the firm said.
According to a source familiar with the situation, both Byron and Cabot have been temporarily removed from their roles following internal pressure and backlash. Astronomer co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is now serving as interim CEO.
Fake apology statements attributed to Byron and Coldplay have circulated online, including one viral hoax claiming the band would introduce "camera-free audience sections for people and their sidepieces."
One man claimed he had been fired from Astronomer for buying the Coldplay tickets that allegedly exposed the affair, though this has not been verified.
The scandal has sparked glee among some former Astronomer staffers. A former direct report told the New York Post: "The text groups and chains of former employees are like… everybody’s laughing their a** off and enjoying the hell out of what happened and him getting exposed."
The insider described Byron as a "sales-obsessed" executive who was allegedly "toxic" in the workplace.
Byron and Cabot, who both have families of their own, were seen rushing for cover after being caught off guard in the packed stadium. Footage showing their reaction — and Chris Martin’s commentary — has now been seen by millions around the world.
The Coldplay fan who filmed the moment told The U.S. Sun she did not expect it to cause a scandal. "I had no idea who the couple was. Just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it," she said. "A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but, play stupid games… win stupid prizes."
Even longer footage has since emerged, showing the full reaction of a visibly panicked Cabot. Neither Byron nor Cabot has spoken publicly about the incident.
Byron has served as CEO of Astronomer — valued at more than $1.3 billion — since July 2023. Cabot, who goes by Kristin Cabot Thornby on LinkedIn, joined the company nine months ago as Chief People Officer.
When she was appointed, Byron praised her as a "proven leader" with "exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management." On her LinkedIn profile, Cabot previously described herself as someone who "wins trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants."
