US tech firm launches probe into Coldplay ‘kiss cam' couple after clip goes viral
CEO of Astronomer Andy Byron was reportedly seen in a kiss cam footage with Ms Kristin Cabot, the firm's HR chief, locked in embrace during a July 16 Coldplay concert in Boston.
A US tech company is investigating a viral video filmed during a Coldplay concert in Boston that has sparked speculation about the identities and relationship of the pair featured, rumoured to be the firm's top executives.
The clip, captured during the British band's July 16 show,
was broadcast on the venue's 'kiss cam', a roving camera typically used at large events to spotlight couples in the audience for light-hearted entertainment.
At the July 16 show, a man and a woman were seen embracing and swaying to the music before ducking from view when their faces appeared on the giant screen.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, reacting in real time, quipped to the audience: 'Either they're having an affair, or they're just very shy.'
British broadcaster BBC reported on July 19 that the video initially surfaced on TikTok, where it received millions of views before spreading across other platforms and being turned into memes.
The man in the video has been identified in online posts and media reports as Mr Andy Byron, chief executive of the Ohio-based data software company Astronomer. The woman has been identified as Ms Kristin Cabot, the firm's chief human resources officer.
Neither has confirmed their identity in the footage, and the BBC said it was unable to verify who was in the video.
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In a statement released on social media on July 18, Astronomer did not reference the concert or the individuals involved, but said it had launched a formal investigation.
'Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,' the company said.
'The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.'
The firm also denied that any other employees were present in the video, and clarified that Mr Byron had not issued any personal statement, contrary to fake posts circulating online.
According to British news platform The Guardian on July 18, a source familiar with the matter said both Mr Byron and Ms Cabot had been placed on leave.
Astronomer has not commented on their employment status. The source also said the delay in the company's response was partly due to negotiations over Mr Byron's exit package.
Founded in 2018, Astronomer develops tools for data orchestration and workflow automation using Apache Airflow, an open-source platform used by companies to manage complex data pipelines.
Mr Byron joined Astronomer as CEO in July 2023. Ms Cabot, who was appointed in November 2024, was previously praised by Mr Byron for her 'exceptional leadership and deep expertise' in talent management and people strategy.
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