Gwyneth Paltrow steps up as spokesperson amid scandal
This follows a viral scandal that shook the business world.
The CEO, Andy Byron, and the Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, caught public attention when they shared an intimate embrace. This sparked intense scrutiny on the company.
They were caught on a kiss-cam during a Coldplay concert in Boston on 16 July 2025. This incident sparked widespread rumours of an affair and ultimately led to both executives' resignations, according to Page Six.
In a tongue-in-cheek video released on Astronomer's LinkedIn and other social media pages on 25 July 2025, Paltrow introduced herself with a smile.
'I've been hired on a very temporary basis to speak on behalf of the 300-plus employees at Astronomer.'
She addressed the flood of questions the company had received lately, deftly sidestepping the allegations of a scandalous affair.
When the on-screen text posed the question 'OMG! What the actual f—,' she replied with a quip.'Yes! Astronomer is the best place to run Apache Airflow,' referring to the firm's data workflow software.
She added, 'We're thrilled to see so many people suddenly interested in data workflow automation.'
The actress continued by responding to another question about managing social media. She also seized the opportunity to promote the company's upcoming Beyond Analytics event in September, inviting people to join.
In her closing remarks, Paltrow said, 'Now, we'll return to what we do best… delivering game-changing results for our customers. Thank you for your interest in Astronomer.'
This light-hearted video aimed to reclaim the narrative and restore confidence in Astronomer after the unexpected negative attention.
Chris Martin himself joked about the viral moment during the Boston concert, saying, 'Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy,' which further fueled the online buzz.
Following the scandal, both Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot resigned swiftly.
The incident also drove a surge in Coldplay's streaming numbers, with a 25% rise in on-demand audio streams reported in the days after the concert.
This showed how a viral scandal can unexpectedly benefit the band's popularity. She made light of the situation while focusing on the company's strengths.
By leveraging her public profile, particularly as Martin's former wife, Astronomer has managed to soften the blow.
The company redirect attention to its core business in data automation, a field increasingly relevant worldwide, including South Africa's growing tech sector.
Industry observers have described the exchange as 'a clever PR move.'
They noted that Paltrow's involvement brings a blend of humour and star power that helps Astronomer emerge from the scandal with a refreshed public image.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
22 minutes ago
- The South African
'I felt welcomed': Zimbabwean rapper marries into Zulu royal heartland
Zimbabwean rapper Awa Khiwe has married a Qwabe man from KwaNongoma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, marking not just a union of love, but a powerful moment of cultural fusion. The intimate traditional wedding, held recently in KwaZulu-Natal, celebrated African heritage and cross-border unity. Born Awakhiwe Sibanda, the musician expresses fierce pride in her Ndebele roots as a rapper. 'I felt welcomed,' she said in an exclusive interview with The South African . Referring to her Ndebele roots Awa Khiwe said: 'They call me umzukulu kaMashobane (the grand daughter of Mashobane). I think once you show people respect, they know you were raised well. Where you come from becomes a secondary issue.' Despite cultural similarities, Awa Khiwe revealed that her upbringing in a Zimbabwean village in Nkayi prepared her for life in KwaNongoma. 'Being raised in the village helped me shape my cultural identity. The KwaNongoma lifestyle is similar to to the one of Nkayi… it's not a huge adjustment.' Awa Khiwe, renowned for championing Ndebele pride on global stages, has opened up about embracing a more traditional role in her personal life. Now living in a new home, the outspoken rapper revealed that while many know her as a fierce and fearless queen, she proudly takes on the role of being a loved,spoiled and submissive wife to her Zulu husband. Speaking candidly, she said she respects both Zulu and Ndebele cultures, describing the union as a beautiful exchange rather than a clash. Awa said her open-mindedness allows her to find strength in unity and mutual respect, rather than division, even in deeply rooted cultural differences. Veteran actor Ernest Ndlovu joined Awa Khiwe in KwaNongoma to celebrate her wedding day. Image: Pixel Visuals While fans speculated that new music inspired by the wedding might be on the way, Awa was quick to set the record straight: 'I have new music, but it has nothing to do with the wedding,' she said. 'I juggle music and family, I'm old enough to handle the situation.' Her husband, a Qwabe man involved in the construction industry, has been in her life for years. The two met through a mutual friend, Macingwana, and nurtured their relationship quietly before tying the knot in a ceremony that honoured both families. On social media, she called it 'the best day of my life…' and added in a heartfelt tribute: 'Thank you for keeping your promise, my love. I promise to love, honour, respect and protect you, till death do us part.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates part ways with one beer sponsor for another!
Orlando Pirates have officially parted ways with their long-time beer sponsor Carling Black Label. The Buccaneers and Carling Black Label had been partners for 14 years between 2011 and 2025. However, the partnership has amicably come to an end although reasons behind that are still unclear at this stage. Now, Heineken-owned beer, Amstel Lager, has taken over from Carling Black Label as Pirates' newest beer sponsor. The launch took place at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, 6 August. Orlando Pirates and Premier Soccer League chairman Dr Irvin Khoza addresses the media in Johannesburg. Image: Sowetan Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Big Wac: SA fast food franchises pinched by 30% Trump tariffs
Unlikely losers in the 30% Trump tariff increase are SA fast food franchises of popular American brands. According to Nedbank Retail Services, SA fast food franchises from McDonald's, Burger King and Starbucks will likely come under immense pressure. While many ingredients are locally sourced, SA fast food franchises of these popular US brands still need to specially import items to maintain brand consistency and quality. As a result, after Trump tariff increases, imports will become more costly and royalties higher. Ironically enough, it was President Ramaphosa's Shanduka Group that brought McDonald's to South Africa at the end of apartheid. Image: File New 30% Trump tariffs come into effect on Thursday 7 August 2025, reports BusinessTech . The impact on key industries like vehicle manufacturing and agriculture has been widely reported upon. However, the wider impact on local consumers – and the likes of SA fast food outlets – is still less apparent. 'US-based franchises operating in South Africa may struggle to keep pricing competitive if they import branded or specialty items. This may force franchise owners to source more locally. And this may compromise brand consistency,' said a spokesperson from Nedbank Retail Services. That guilty pleasure could get a lot more expensive after 7 August 2025. Image: File As a result, SA fast food franchisors may have to scale back expansion plans. Royalties paid in US dollars will only become more expensive in a weaker-Rand environment. 'This is bad news for the whole retail sector, but particularly franchising, which relies on strong middle-class spending power to thrive,' explained the bank. However, the unique situation does present opportunities for local-is-lekker SA fast food chains. The likes of Nando's, Chicken Licken, Spur, Wimpy and Steers will be there to snap up market share at the expense of US brands. 'In our experience, South African businesses are resilient, and many of our clients are already adapting long-term plans to ensure business survival,' the bank concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
