Coldplay’s kiss cam sparks scandal for US tech CEO and HR Chief – and the internet can’t look away

What began as a feel-good moment during a Coldplay concert quickly turned into a viral workplace scandal after a couple’s awkward reaction on the stadium’s Kiss Cam prompted suspicions – and accusations – of an office affair.

The now-infamous moment took place on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, when Coldplay frontman Chris Martin paused mid-performance to improvise lyrics based on couples appearing on the Jumbotron.

“Whoa, look at these two,” the singer said, as the camera panned to a grey-haired man with his arms wrapped around a blonde woman. Their hands were intertwined, their body language intimate. But once they noticed the camera, both visibly recoiled – with the woman turning away abruptly and the man ducking down to exit the frame.

“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” Mr Martin remarked, drawing laughter from the audience. Then came a follow-up: “I hope we didn’t do something bad.”

@instaagraace trouble in paradise?? 👀 #coldplay #boston #coldplayconcert #kisscam #fyp ♬ original sound – grace

As it turns out, that moment may have revealed more than the singer bargained for.

Online sleuths were quick to identify the couple as Andy Byron, CEO of AI and data company Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer. Based in the US, Astronomer is a tech startup reportedly valued at $1.2 billion. While the nature of their relationship has not been publicly confirmed, their on-camera reaction, paired with their senior roles and existing workplace history, immediately raised eyebrows – and fuelled speculation.

Ms Cabot joined Astronomer in November 2024. At the time, Mr Byron publicly praised her “exceptional leadership” and 20 years of HR expertise. In return, Ms Cabot said she felt “energised” by her conversations with Mr Byron and was excited about the company’s “opportunities.”

But social media users were far more interested in what appeared to be going on outside the boardroom.

‘Coldplay hasn’t made a single in years. Last night, they made two.’

Within hours of the incident, footage went viral and online commentary exploded – some mocking, others gleeful, and many clearly entertained by what they saw as corporate drama unfolding in real time.

“Cost of a concert: Hotel $200, tickets $600, food/drinks $150, divorce attorney $50,000. Getting exposed by Coldplay having an affair with your co-worker: Priceless,” one viral comment read.

Another social media user commented, “I can only imagine how much work the employees of the company did today. It was surely a gossip fest!”

Even Ryanair’s notorious social media team jumped in, posting: “Ryanair 🤝 Coldplay – splitting up couples.”

The memes practically wrote themselves, with one user joking, “Coldplay hasn’t made a single in years. Last night, they made two.”

Former employees of Mr Byron also chimed in. One ex-colleague told media outlets that “text groups and chains of former employees are like… everybody’s laughing, enjoying what happened and him getting exposed.” They also described Mr Byron as a “toxic” boss, suggesting the moment was seen by some as karmic justice.

Silent (for now)

Neither Mr Byron nor Ms Cabot has publicly addressed the incident. Repeated requests for comment from media outlets have so far gone unanswered. A statement circulating online purporting to be from Mr Byron apologising to his family and colleagues was later debunked by a company representative as fake.

Public records show that Mr Byron is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, though social media users noted that she had reportedly removed her married name from Facebook following the incident. Ms Cabot, meanwhile, finalised her divorce in 2022.

While the full truth of their relationship remains unconfirmed, the damage – reputational or otherwise – may already be done.

What was meant to be a brief light-hearted segment during a Coldplay set has instead become a cautionary tale about public displays of affection, workplace relationships, and the internet’s unfailing ability to connect the dots.