A viral kiss-cam moment at a Coldplay concert involving the chief executive of a US software firm has triggered widespread online speculation. The frenzy intensified after a fabricated apology statement began circulating on social media. The incident, and the reaction it sparked, has reignited concerns over digital impersonation, online privacy, and the reputational consequences of viral misinformation.
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was shown on-screen hugging the company's head of HR, Kristin Cabot, during the band's 16 July performance at Gillette Stadium. Frontman Chris Martin jokingly addressed the audience, asking, 'Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy'. The footage quickly gained traction online, leading to speculation about Byron's personal life and, more recently, a false statement purporting to be an official apology.
Fake Statement Shared Widely
The fake message, widely shared on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, is formatted to appear like a corporate press release. It claims to be from Byron himself and includes a formal apology 'to my wife, my family, and the team at Astronomer'. The statement continues, 'I also want to express how troubling it is that what should have been a private moment became public without my consent'.
The message ends with a quote from Coldplay's song Fix You, adding to its apparent authenticity. However, Astronomer has denied any link to the statement, confirming it did not originate from Byron or the company.
The post was originally shared by @PeterEnisCBS, a now-suspended parody account on X. At the time of writing, the account is no longer accessible, and reposted versions of the image now carry a warning label from the platform, 'This statement is fake. It was posted by a parody news account (as stated in the bio)'.
Company Confirms Statement Is False
Astronomer's Director of Communications Taylor Jones told Men's Journal, 'Neither statement is real. These were not authored or approved by Andy or anyone at Astronomer.' The company has since restricted comments on its social media accounts, following a surge in speculation and critical responses online.
The episode has also drew in Byron's predecessor, Ry Walker, who clarified on social media that he is no longer affiliated with the company, using the hashtag #ColdplayGate. Meanwhile, Byron's wife is reported to have removed his surname from her social media profiles before deactivating her accounts altogether, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. She has not issued a public statement.
Company at Centre of Scrutiny
Astronomer, which recently secured a US $93 million Series D funding round and is valued at around US $1.3 billion, has faced heightened scrutiny as a result of the incident. Some reports, including from Page Six, have published claims from unnamed former employees who alleged management concerns during Byron's time at Cybereason. These accounts remain unverified.
The incident at the Coldplay concert highlights the growing threat of digital impersonation and the reputational damage that viral misinformation can cause. As social media continues to amplify unverified content, companies and individuals alike face increasing difficulty maintaining control over their public image.
While Astronomer has denied any link to the fake statement, the incident underscores how rapidly misinformation can escalate.
