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Coldplay 'kiss cam' chief executive suspended by employer

Coldplay 'kiss cam' chief executive suspended by employer

RNZ News19-07-2025
A US tech company has suspended its chief executive, after a big-screen embrace at a Coldplay concert went viral online.
The clip, which initially appeared on a giant screen at the British band's concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, showed a man and a woman with their arms around each other, as they watched the stage.
When their faces appeared before thousands of people on the 'kiss cam', they abruptly ducked and seemingly hid from the camera.
Lead singer Chris Martin jokingly told the crowd the couple were either "having an affair or they're just very shy".
Reports they were executives at the same company, but married to other people, then quickly spread online, as internet sleuths tried to identify the pair.
New York City-based AI data company Astronomer named the man as CEO Andy Byron on Friday, after the video taken at the 16 July concert went viral on social media.
In a statement on X, it 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.
"The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly."
It said reports Byron had issued a statement about the incident were false and that no other Astronomer employees were in the kiss cam video.
Other media reported the woman was Astronomer HR director Kristin Cabot and said both were placed on leave.
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