NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
What began as an innocent crowd shot at a Coldplay concert has turned into a full-blown corporate scandal, complete with viral videos, lip-reading analysis, and a swift executive resignation. A short video recorded during Coldplay’s recent Boston performance captured what looked like a tender embrace between two concertgoers — but their stunned reaction when they realized they were on camera quickly raised eyebrows across social media.
In the now-viral clip, a man and a woman appear to be enjoying the show side by side, seemingly affectionate and close. But as the camera lingers on them, their demeanor shifts dramatically. The man ducks, the woman spins around and covers her face — and just like that, what looked like a sweet couple’s moment instantly felt like something much more secretive.
Social media users were quick to investigate, and the internet’s army of sleuths didn’t take long to identify the pair. They were soon named as Andy Byron, then-CEO of Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer. The fact that Byron is married and Cabot is divorced added fuel to the online firestorm, though neither of them has publicly confirmed their identities in the clip.
To make matters worse, professional lip readers have weighed in. According to a report from The Mirror, the man — believed to be Byron — can be seen saying, “F***ing hell, it’s me,” after spotting himself on the venue’s big screen. The moment, which many assumed was simply two camera-shy attendees caught off guard, quickly took on a new meaning.
As speculation intensified, the backlash spread from TikTok to the boardroom. In a post shared on LinkedIn, Astronomer announced Byron’s resignation, stating:
“As stated previously, 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, and recently, that standard was not met.”
The company also confirmed that Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy would step in as interim CEO while the board searches for Byron’s replacement.
The video was originally posted by TikTok user Grace Springer, who claims she had no idea who the couple was when she uploaded the footage. Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she explained:
“I just thought it was a funny and interesting reaction to the kiss cam. I didn’t know they were anyone significant.”
As the video amassed over 50 million views, Springer admitted she felt some guilt for the unintended consequences, but stood by her decision to post:
“A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but, play stupid games… win stupid prizes. I hope their partners can heal from this and get the second chance they deserve.”
Cabot, who joined Astronomer in November, had been praised by Byron in a company announcement at the time. He highlighted her leadership skills and experience in talent management, describing her as “a perfect fit for Astronomer.”
Neither Byron nor Cabot has made a public statement about the incident or their employment status beyond the resignation notice. But for now, a brief moment at a concert — captured by a stranger’s camera and magnified by the internet — has left a major mark on two careers and one company’s leadership.
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