What started as a lighthearted moment at a Coldplay concert quickly turned into an unexpected corporate crisis—one that led to the resignation of two top executives at a fast-growing AI company.
During Coldplay’s July 16 show at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the band’s signature “kiss cam” scanned the crowd for couples to spotlight on the big screen. When the camera landed on a sharply dressed man embracing a woman from behind, frontman Chris Martin joked, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.”
What no one realized at the time was how serious that playful moment would become.
Caught on Camera
As seen in a now-viral TikTok clip, the couple’s reaction was immediate and uneasy. The man quickly moved out of frame, and the woman turned away, visibly startled. While the crowd cheered, a very different story was unfolding behind the scenes.
The two individuals in the spotlight were later identified as Andy Byron, then-CEO of AI firm Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer. Both were reportedly in committed relationships outside of work.
@instaagraace me 🤝🏼 humiliating cheating CEO’s #worldsfavoritesnitch #coldplay ♬ LOOK AT THIS – Astro Boyke
Resignations Follow Public Reaction
The video spread rapidly across social media, drawing widespread attention and sparking speculation about the nature of the executives’ relationship. Just days later, on July 19, Astronomer issued a statement confirming Byron had resigned. The company emphasized its commitment to professional conduct, stating:
“Leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”
Co-founder Pete DeJoy, now serving as interim CEO, acknowledged the attention:
“Our company has received a level of media focus we never anticipated,” he told the BBC. “We’re committed to moving forward with transparency and professionalism.”
Cabot’s Departure Confirmed
Adding to the fallout, Astronomer has now confirmed that Kristin Cabot has also resigned from her position. Her role as Chief People Officer made the situation especially complicated, as she was responsible for overseeing workplace culture and HR policies.
In a statement to Page Six, a company spokesperson said, “I can confirm that Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer, she has resigned.”
Coldplay Team Responds
Sources from the concert’s production team clarified that the moment on the kiss cam was completely unplanned.
“This was just a random moment,” one crew member told The Sun. “The camera operator scans the crowd, and an editor backstage chooses which angle goes on screen. It’s part of the show and happens at every concert.”
Another added: “Their reaction made it worse—very awkward. It’s likely they thought the chances of being picked in a crowd of thousands were slim.”
Neither Byron nor Cabot has made a public statement. Their professional social media accounts have since been deactivated, and Astronomer has declined to offer further comment.
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