What to know about the CEO caught embracing an employee on the jumbtron at a Coldplay concert
The snippet of video set the internet alight, fueling a wave of memes and drawing attention to the erosion of privacy in public spaces.
Here are some things to know:
What happened at the concert
During the concert on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, lead singer Chris Martin asked the cameras to scan the crowd for his 'Jumbotron Song,' when he sings a few lines about the people the camera lands on.
A man wearing a birthday sash was up first. Two people in banana costumes were highlighted.
But in between, something unexpected happened. For several seconds, a couple was shown on the big screen. They were cuddling and smiling, his arms wrapped around her, as she leaned back into him.
When they saw themselves on the big screen, her jaw dropped, her hands flew to her face and she spun away from the camera. He ducked out of the frame, as did she.
'Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy,' Martin joked.
It didn't end there.
Who was involved
After the video went viral, the internet got to work.
Online sleuths rapidly figured out that the man was Andy Byron, chief executive officer, while she was Kristin Cabot, the chief people officer — in other words, the head of human resources.
Astronomer, based in New York, provides big companies with a platform that helps them organize their data.
The company at first said little about the incident. In response to an initial inquiry from The Associated Press, Astronomer's spokesman said only that a statement attributed to Byron that circulated online immediately after the incident was a 'fake from a clearly labeled parody account.'
The company later confirmed the identities of the couple in a statement to AP.
What happened to the CEO
In the hours after the video went viral, Byron's name was at one point the most searched term on Google.
Astronomer eventually addressed the situation, announcing in a LinkedIn post that Byron had been placed on leave and that the board of directors had launched a formal investigation.
The company said a day later that Byron had resigned, and that its cofounder and chief product officer, Pete DeJoy, was tapped as interim CEO while it searches for Byron's successor.
'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 said in its post on LinkedIn.
Most concert venues warn attendees that they can be film ed
It's easy to miss, but most concert venues have signs informing the audience that they could be filmed during the event. Look for them on the walls when you arrive and around the bar areas or toilets. It's common practice especially when bands like to use performances for music videos or concert films.
The venue in this case, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, also has a privacy policy online which states: 'When you visit our location or attend or participate in an event at our location, we may capture your image, voice and/or likeness, including through the use of CCTV cameras and/or when we film or photograph you in a public location.'
Once captured, a moment can be shared widely
In the internet age, such videos — or ones taken on someone's smartphone — can quickly zip around the world.
This video rocketed around social media, as people speculated about why the couple dodged the camera.
Empathy for the pair and their families was mixed with plenty of snarky commentary and countless memes, with the fake statement from the chief executive generating a lot of additional vitriol. And news reports said that Byron's LinkedIn account was disabled after it was flooded by a wave of comments.
'It's a little bit unsettling how easily we can be identified with biometrics, how our faces are online, how social media can track us — and how the internet has gone from being a place of interaction, to a gigantic surveillance system," said Mary Angela Bock, an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin's School of Journalism and Media. "We are being surveilled by our social media. They're tracking us in exchange for entertaining us.'
_____
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The Osbournes changed reality TV forever for better or worse
First and foremost, if Ozzy Osbourne is destined to be remembered for anything, it'll be his music. Few people can genuinely claim to have invented a whole new genre of something. But Osbourne, along with the other members of Black Sabbath, did exactly that. However, Ozzy Osbourne isn't destined to be remembered for just one thing. Because, for three short years two decades ago, for better or worse (and this is genuinely debatable) Ozzy Osbourne also changed television forever. That's right, it would be rude to remember Ozzy Osbourne without at least acknowledging that he is the man who gave us The Osbournes. Twenty-three years on from its debut, the premise of The Osbournes almost seems quaint. Ozzy and his family invited an MTV camera crew into his home to document the ups and downs of their day to day lives. It's a format that has long since been worn into the dust, thanks to the endless parade of thirsty nobodies who have attempted to replicate the formula for their own gain. But at the time, if you were there, you'll remember that The Osbournes was like a grenade going off. Looking back, MTV must not have been able to believe its luck that one of the world's most recognisable rockstars was willing to subject himself to the indignities of a reality show. Indeed, since recent years saw Osbourne distance himself from the series, on the basis that he was 'stoned during the entire filming', perhaps that gives some indication of his state of mind at the time of commissioning. But thank goodness he did, because The Osbournes might qualify as the closest thing that television has ever given us to a live-action Simpsons. Episodes walked a fine line between ridiculous celebrity excess (showing Ozzy on tour) and a kind of aggressively caffeinated escalation of domestic life. An argument with noisy neighbours culminates in the family lobbing ham over the garden fence. A family friend comes to stay and annoys everyone so much that they try to urinate in his drink. Everyone gets worried when the daughter gets a new boyfriend nicknamed 'cauliflower dick'. The Osbourne family couldn't be less like yours, and yet everyone could see parts of themselves in them. Of course, it helped that every member of the Osbournes was genuinely hilarious. Sharon was a fierce matriarch without a filter. Daughter Kelly was a sassy brat. Son Jack was a legitimate weirdo. And Ozzy possessed an uncanny knack for knowingly undermining his own legacy. Look at the episode where he checks out a technical rehearsal for a concert, notices a bubble blower onstage and laments: 'Come on Sharon, I'm the prince of fucking darkness.' This wit saw The Osbournes become a near-instant sensation. When it launched, it became MTV's most-watched show of all time. It won an Emmy. What's more, every single non-Ozzy member of the family (at least the ones who agreed to appear onscreen) was vaulted to fame. Kelly became a popstar, Jack a presenter and Sharon a talkshow host and reality judge. And yet Ozzy remained the centre of gravity throughout. Constantly trying his best to navigate the world, and constantly on the point of drowning, he was in many ways the most relatable member of the family. For someone who once bit the head off a bat, that's a pretty huge achievement. You don't need to be told the cultural impact of The Osbournes, because we're surrounded by it. Paris Hilton tried to mimic the formula with The Simple Life. Katie Price had a reality show. Gene Simmons had a reality show. Ice-T had a reality show. Steps had a reality show. The Kardashians became global celebrities by ripping off the Osbourne blueprint. Most recently, Jacob Rees-Mogg attempted to stage his own Osbournes-style reality show. And it was rubbish. They were all rubbish, because they all lacked the one thing that made The Osbournes special: the Osbournes. So when the dust settles, and all the tributes start to fall away, Ozzy Osbourne will leave behind an almost unparalleled legacy of music. But he also left behind a TV show where he got so angry on a beach that he started screaming personal insults at the sea, and that's OK too.
The Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Sun
Victoria Beckham sends olive branch to son Brooklyn as Sir Elton John intervenes to fix family feud
VICTORIA Beckham has sent an olive branch to son Brooklyn amid the family's bitter feud. The rift between Brooklyn, his American actress wife Nicola Peltz, 30, and the Beckhams has seemingly widened over the past few months. 5 But matriarch Victoria, 51, has liked Brooklyn's latest Instagram reel showing him rustling up pasta in the kitchen, suggesting tensions could be thawing. In the video, budding chef Brooklyn, 26, rustles up tomato pasta on a yacht, using a pan of seawater to cook his spaghetti. It follows an intervention from Sir Elton John, who is Brooklyn's godfather and also close pals with David, 50, and Victoria. The legendary singer, 78, has publicly praised Brooklyn and Nicola on social media while the feud has been making headlines, and he has even hung out with them in Cannes. The couple were seen with Elton's husband, David Furnish, at the La Guerite, with other guests including music producer Andrew Watt who worked with Elton on his latest album. We revealed Elton 'briefly' touched on the family feud before sticking to more neutral territory. 'Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland,' said a source. 'He's utterly neutral in this row. 'Elton of old may have relished in taking sides - in this case his young godson, Brooklyn - but two years off his 80th birthday, he's a man who has seen and done it all. 'He just wants everyone to be happy. There is no side-taking as such; he simply adores his godson, and really has a laugh with Nicola who he thinks has a great sense of humour. "He wants to look after them in his role as 'spiritual adviser' as a godfather, it's a role he takes seriously. 'Elton and David think the situation is terribly sad, and has gently suggested to all involved that life is short — and to patch things up. 'They had a really fun long lunch in the South of France, where Elton and David have a beautiful villa, and besides a very brief chat on the subject that dare rear its name, they discussed loads of other, much more lighthearted matters. "Elton has said his bit - he is adamant he doesn't want to stick his nose in and p*** off either party. He just wants peace.' Perhaps Victoria is making moves to smooth relations ahead of the October release of her Netflix documentary. It is understood she will not touch on the feud - although she has promised there will be 'tears' in the four-parter. Nicola and Brooklyn will not be in it — but that is because no scenes were filmed with them. A source added: 'The children hardly feature — it's simply not a case of Brooklyn and Nicola being cut, as they weren't in it to start with. 5 5 5 "This is very much a project focusing on Victoria's transaction from pop star to businesswoman and designer.' Younger Beckham boys Cruz and Romeo were recently accused of turning their backs on Brooklyn for good, sending the family deeper into crisis. It came after fans spotted the siblings had blocked their elder brother on social media. A source said: 'Blocking or unfollowing someone on Instagram is like the Gen Z version of World War Three. It's a sad new low. 'But the truth is, Brooklyn has cut out his parents David and Victoria from his life and it's the same with Romeo and Cruz. "Even when the family have reached out to Brooklyn they have been ignored. 'He's not had contact for months and it feels clear to them that he doesn't want to make amends.' The feud, which The Sun understands started over money, has been bubbling for several months. The Beckham Family Feud April 2022: Brooklyn marries Nicola Peltz. Wedding Dress Controversy: Rumours begin circulating that there's tension between Nicola and Victoria Beckham after Nicola chooses not to wear a Victoria Beckham -designed wedding gown. Nicola later clarifies in August 2022 (and again in March 2023) that Victoria's atelier couldn't make the dress in time, but reports in May 2025 suggest Victoria actually changed her mind about making the dress. Post-Wedding (2022 onwards): Minimal interaction between Nicola and Victoria on social media, and noticeable absence of Nicola at key Beckham family events. Alleged Wedding "Hijack": In May 2025, a source claimed Victoria "ruined" part of the wedding by allegedly hijacking a dance with Marc Anthony, which was meant for Brooklyn and Nicola. Nicola reportedly ran from the room crying. March 2025: A resurfaced TikTok of Romeo and Cruz mimicking a "baby voice" (which fans associate with Nicola) sparks speculation of sibling shade. April 2025: Brooklyn and Nicola are reportedly absent from Victoria Beckham's 51st birthday celebrations in Miami and her Paris Fashion Week show. May 2025: David Beckham's 50th Birthday Snub: Brooklyn and Nicola are notably absent from David Beckham's 50th birthday celebrations in London, despite being invited. Reports suggest their absence was due to Brooklyn not wanting to be in the same room as Kim Turnbull, the girlfriend of Romeo who had previously been reported to have been dating Brooklyn, who David allegedly opted to have at the party over Nicola. Rumours emerge of a falling out between Brooklyn and his younger brother Romeo, reportedly due to Romeo's new girlfriend, DJ Kim Turnbull, who allegedly had a past connection with Brooklyn. Reports surface that the Beckham parents are "hurt and disappointed" that Brooklyn is "playing no part in family life." Sources claim that tensions between Brooklyn and Nicola and his parents are "definitely not beyond repair." June 2025: Brooklyn and Nicola reportedly enlist a "crisis team" similar to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for "reputation management" due to the growing media scrutiny. Cruz Beckham posts cryptic lyrics on Instagram that some interpret as a swipe at Brooklyn. July 2025: Reports indicate David and Victoria are "desperate" to reconcile with Brooklyn. Brooklyn publicly wishes his sister Harper a happy 14th birthday on Instagram, tagging Nicola, which is seen as a potential "olive branch" and a rare public message to his family amid the rumored rift. Brooklyn UNFOLLOWS his brothers Romeo and Cruz just 24 hours after his birthday message to Harper. Nicola quickly follows suit and also ditches the Beckham bros from her Instagram following. Romeo and Cruz are now also no longer following Brooklyn.
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Breakthrough for MALE birth control pill: Experimental hormone–free tablet passes its first safety test in men
For decades, the responsibility of taking a birth control pill has been placed firmly on the shoulders of women. But that could soon change – as an experimental pill for men that works by blocking sperm production has just passed its first safety test in humans. The hormone–free contraceptive tablet, called YCT–529, has already been found to prevent 99 per cent of pregnancies during experiments in mice. It works by blocking access to vitamin A in the testes, preventing sperm production without affecting testosterone levels – meaning libido is not impacted. The male pill, which experts hope will be available this decade, is the only one currently being tested in humans. For the latest trial, researchers recruited 16 men who were put on different doses of the pill across several days. Instead of testing how effective it was in humans – all of the men had undergone vasectomies – the aim was to discover if there were any side–effects. Analysis revealed there were no concerning changes in heart rate, hormone function, inflammation, mood or sexual function. Next, the team will test the pill in larger trials that will look at how effective it is in preventing sperm production in humans. The results of the safety trial, published in the journal Communications Medicine, are a critical first step toward getting the pill approved, experts said. 'We really need more reversible contraceptive methods for men,' Dr Stephanie Page, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine and who wasn't involved in the study, told Scientific American. Currently, the other male birth control options are vasectomies – a surgical procedure that involves cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles – or condoms. Vasectomies, also known as 'the snip', can be reversed but the success rate of reversal procedures vary widely. Earlier tests in male primates also found the drug lowered sperm counts within just two weeks. Crucially, both mice and non–human primates fully regained fertility after stopping the drug and no side effects were detected in either species. Mice regained fertility within six weeks, while non–human primates fully recovered their sperm count in 10 to 15 weeks. How does it work? Researchers have understood for decades that vitamin A is essential for male fertility. YCT–529 is a retinoic acid receptor–alpha (RAR–a) inhibitor that prevents production of sperm cells in the testes as well as their release. It does this by blocking RAR–alpha – one of three nuclear receptors that bind retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A. YCT–529 is being worked on as part of a collaboration between University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Columbia University in New York and San Francisco–based firm YourChoice Therapeutics. 'A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control,' Gunda Georg, chemist and pharmacist at the University of Minnesota, said earlier this year. 'It will allow a more equitable sharing of responsibility for family planning and provide reproductive autonomy for men.' Both the animal studies and the human trial results suggest that the approved pill would likely be taken once a day, but further trials will confirm that dosing. 'The positive results from this first clinical trial laid the groundwork for a second trial, where men receive YCT–529 for 28 days and 90 days, to study safety and changes in sperm parameters,' the study authors wrote in their paper, published in the journal Communications Medicine. Currently, around a quarter of women who use contraception take an oral birth control pill, but there are no equivalent methods available for men. If the male pill proves to be as effective in humans as it is in mice, it would be on a par with the female birth control medication. Lead author and YourChoice Therapeutics' Chief Science Officer Nadja Mannowetz said: 'A peer–reviewed publication for our first–in–human study reinforces YCT–529's strong safety profile. 'It also shows "the Pill for men" had no effect on sexual desire or mood.' Nearly half of all pregnancies globally are unintended, suggesting an urgent need for more male contraceptive options. There is also high demand for new methods. A recent study showed men are very interested in using new male contraceptive options and women are confident they'll take them correctly. 'Studies and surveys continue to show that men want to share the burden of pregnancy prevention with their partners,' Akash Bakshi, CEO of YourChoice Therapeutics, said. 'But they have just one non–permanent contraceptive option—condoms—and it's 170 years old. Innovation is long overdue. 'Data show men favour an oral contraceptive and one that's hormone–free, positioning YCT–529 as potentially transformative for a healthcare segment that's been stagnant for more than a century and a half.' Women have several birth control options available including short–term rapid methods like birth control pills and patches and a contraceptive cap or diaphragm. They also have long–term options such as implants, which produce hormones that stop the release of an egg. Some opt for an intrauterine device – a T–shaped device placed into the uterus to prevent an egg from implanting. The birth control pill or patches are about 93 per cent effective at preventing pregnancies. However long–term devices like the intrauterine device are more than 99 per cent effective. There have been few changes in male contraception compared with the range of options available to women. Although there's ongoing research into a male contraceptive pill, there is not one available yet. At the moment, the 2 contraceptive methods available to men are: Condoms – a barrier form of contraception that stops sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg Vasectomy – a minor, usually permanent, surgical procedure that stops sperm from reaching the semen ejaculated from the penis The withdrawal method of taking your penis out of your partner's vagina before ejaculating is not a method of contraception. This is because sperm can be released before ejaculation and cause pregnancy.
