Coldplay Kiss Cam triggers 'formal investigation' into Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron is now under "formal investigation" by his board after allegedly being caught on the jumbotron with the company's HR chief, Kristin Cabot, at a recent Coldplay show—an eyebrow-raising moment that quickly exploded online.
An Astronomer PR representative shared an official leadership update with Fox News Digital on Friday night.
"Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO given Andy Byron has been placed on leave. We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days," the statement said.
The tech firm Astronomer posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the controversial matter.
"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 company shared.
COLDPLAY'S CHRIS MARTIN CALLS OUT COUPLE ON KISS CAM, SPARKING AFFAIR ACCUSATIONS
"The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly."
The company emphasized that no other employees appeared in the video, and confirmed that Alyssa Stoddard, the Senior Director of People at Astronomer, was not present at the concert.
Fans speculated that the embarrassed woman spotted beside Byron and Cabot was their co-worker Stoddard.
When reached for comment, the company directed Fox News Digital to their statement on social media.
The Coldplay concert Kiss Cam turned into viral chaos after frontman Chris Martin joked that a couple on screen were "either having an affair or just very shy."
The pair, who online sleuths quickly claimed were Astronomer CEO Byron and his Chief People Officer Cabot, sparked a firestorm of speculation and mockery across social media.
Within hours, an apology statement, allegedly issued by Astronomer CEO Byron, went viral. However, it turned out to be a fake.
"I want to acknowledge the moment that's been circulating online, and the disappointment it's caused," the fake statement read in part.
"What was supposed to be a night of music and joy turned into a deeply personal mistake playing out on a very public stage. I want to sincerely apologize to my wife, my family, and the team at Astronomer. You deserve better from me as a partner, as a father, and as a leader."
The hoax statement continued, "This is not who I want to be or how I want to represent the company I helped build. I'm taking time to reflect, to take accountability, and to figure out the next steps, personally and professionally, I ask for privacy as I navigate that process."
"I also want to express how troubling it is that what should have been a private moment became public without my consent. I respect artists and entertainers, but I hope we can all think more deeply about the impact of turning someone else's life into a spectacle."
The fake statement concluded with Coldplay's song lyrics to "Fix You," "Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you."
Astronomer shut down the false apology and said it was "not a real statement," according to the recent statement by the tech firm.
A fake Coldplay account additionally posted that the band would be making changes to their performances after the viral Kiss Cam moment between the two alleged Astronomer execs.
"Starting with our next show, we're introducing camera-free audience sections for people and their sidepieces," the post read.
Reps for Byron, Cabot and Coldplay did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
WATCH: COLDPLAY'S CHRIS MARTIN CATCHES COUPLE ON KISS CAM, JOKINGLY ASKS IF THEY'RE HAVING AN AFFAIR
While the two statements were deemed to be a hoax, the internet can't get enough of the awkward moment. Fans were quick to react on Coldplay's official Instagram account about the viral moment.
"Show #207, Boston," the caption read with photo highlights from the concert, not including the Kiss Cam moment.
"Coldplay released 'two' new singles that night," one fan quipped.
LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Another comment read, "Did Karma have to pay for her ticket?"
"You forgot the best photo of the whole tour," a fan wrote.
Other comments read, "I always wanted to be part of a jumbotron at your concert, but then I realized that not all of the people feel the same way."
MYSTERY COUPLE MISTAKEN FOR JEFF BEZOS AND LAUREN SÁNCHEZ AT CANNES
During the band's performance at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Wednesday, Coldplay's frontman serenaded the crowd with an improv of "The Jumbotron Song" where he sang about couples featured live on the big screen.
"Whoa, look at these two," Martin said, as a man and woman were seen cozying up with one another.
Once the attention was on the pair, the woman immediately turned away and dodged the camera. The man also exited the frame.
"Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy," Martin joked as the audience laughed.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Once internet sleuths made the claim it was Byron and Cabot, the affair accusations took off.
Fox News has confirmed Cabot and her husband filed for divorce in 2018 and court documents appear to show their divorce was finalized in 2022. No divorce records have been found for Byron, who appears to still be married.
Byron is the CEO of Astronomer, the cybersecurity startup, and Cabot, according to her LinkedIn, is the company's chief people officer. It seems they have worked closely together for years.
Last November, Astronomer posted a press release, as the tech company announced Cabot as the newly appointed Chief People Officer.
"Kristin's exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management, employee engagement, and scaling people strategies will be critical as we continue our rapid trajectory," Byron wrote of his new employee at the time. "She is a proven leader at multiple growth-stage companies and her passion for fostering diverse, collaborative workplaces makes her a perfect fit for Astronomer."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The press release also included Cabot's statement about her new job: "I prefer to think of my role as people strategy versus traditional human resources, as the real magic happens when you align the people strategy with the business strategy."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
9 minutes ago
- CNN
Hulk Hogan was filming Netflix docuseries at the time of his death
Hulk Hogan was in the midst of filming a documentary project for Netflix at the time of his death, CNN has learned. The wrestling legend died earlier this week, at the age of 71. The previously unannounced project, made in partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), is intended to chronicle the wrestling legend's storied life and career, on and off screen, and will still be released after Hogan's sudden passing, according to sources associated with the project. Filming remains ongoing. One source close to the untitled documentary said that the project has been in the works since 2024. Over 20 hours of unseen sit-down interviews with Hogan have already been completed, and an additional 30 hours of scenes have already been shot. The documentary was being produced with Hogan's full participation. 'People will see a side of him they haven't seen before,' the source told CNN. No release date has been set thus far, and Hogan's unexpected death will require filmmakers to re-tool portions of the documentary. Cameras will be on the ground at WWE Smackdown on Friday evening to capture a planned tribute to Hogan, according to the source. Born Terry Bollea and better known as Hulk Hogan, the professional wrestler was widely recognized as the biggest wrestling star of all time, helping catapult WWE into the massive success it is today. He died on Thursday from cardiac arrest, according to officials. Police and fire personnel in Clearwater, Florida, said in a news conference that there were no signs of suspicious activity or foul play in his death and that a standard investigation is ongoing. Hogan is credited with turning the sport of wrestling into an entertainment powerhouse. His larger-than-life presence in the 1980s and 1990s propelled him to become a household name and global superstar, creating the blueprint for other wrestlers – like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and John Cena – to parlay their fame in the ring over to Hollywood and into movies, television shows and reality TV. The Netflix documentary project is being directed by Bryan Storkel and will be produced by Connor Schell's studio, Words + Pictures, in collaboration with WWE. The Hogan doc was first reported by Puck. Netflix declined to provide further details on the documentary at this time.
Skift
10 minutes ago
- Skift
5 Ways to Design a Transformational Event: Advice from Disney
As attendees crave deeper meaning and stronger emotional connections, Disney Meetings & Events is leaning into its storytelling roots. At the heart of its strategy is the Disney Creative Studio, a collaborative hub where storytelling drives experiences that truly transform. In today's experience-driven event landscape, return on investment alone isn't enough. Attendees want more: purpose, emotion, connection. In short, a return on emotion. Disney Meetings & Events is embracing this shift. At the heart of its strategy is the Disney Creative Studio, a collaborative space where planners and Disney's creative minds colllaborate. Under one roof, the studio blends all key elements, content creation, entertainment, audiovisual design, décor, props, florals, and catering, streamlining the process and amplifying impact. 'It's rooted in the Disney ethos of creativity, innovation, and fun,' said Amy Pfeiffer, director of Disney Meetings & Events. But it's not just about aesthetics. Disney focuses on creating meetings that leave a lasting emotional imprint. 'A transformational meeting connects with attendees on a deeper level, emotionally, intellectually, or professionally, by combining the clear objectives of the client with meaningful content, immersive design, and intentional engagement,' said Pfeiffer. 'Designing with emotion in mind helps drive connection, learning, and loyalty, ultimately increasing the long-term value of the meeting and providing a strong return on experience for the client.' Here are five ways Disney creates meetings that move people — and how you can do the same. 1. Start With Emotion Every event design begins with a simple question: How do you want people to feel? That emotional intention becomes the cornerstone of every decision — drawing from the same storytelling techniques that define Disney's parks, films, and stage shows. 2. Build in Human Connection Planners work with the same creative minds behind Disney's live cruise performances, immersive park attractions, and beloved characters. These teams translate strategic business goals into emotionally charged experiences — from opening sessions that wow to team-building activities that spark camaraderie. 3. Make It Immersive From the moment attendees walk in, Disney's environments are designed to tell a story. Theming is integrated from start to finish — not just with décor, but through sound, lighting, staging, and flow — making the message feel cohesive, lived-in, and unforgettable. 4. Embrace Surprise and Play Team-building sessions take on a whole new energy when they draw from franchises like Star Wars, Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Pirates of the Caribbean. Whether competitive or collaborative, these experiences foster connection — and often end with surprise appearances from characters like Chewbacca, Buzz Lightyear, or Mickey Mouse himself. 5. Weave Story Throughout Every successful Disney event starts with a clear purpose and a compelling narrative arc. That story then guides every element, from session titles and stage design to speaker flow and attendee engagement, transforming logistics into a cohesive, emotionally driven journey. In a world where audiences are craving meaning and authenticity, Disney is showing that event transformation is about designing with intention.
Geek Tyrant
10 minutes ago
- Geek Tyrant
RICK AND MORTY Universe Expands with Spinoff PRESIDENT CURTIS, Starring Keith David — GeekTyrant
The Rick and Morty multiverse just got a whole lot bigger. During the show's San Diego Comic-Con panel, Adult Swim dropped a surprise announcement that they are developing a brand-new animated comedy called President Curtis . The series will bring back the fan-favorite Commander-in-Chief, voiced by the legendary Keith David, in his first solo outing. David even made a surprise appearance to celebrate the big reveal, sending fans into an absolute frenzy. The new series comes from Rick and Morty executive producers Dan Harmon and James Siciliano, the same creative minds who've been steering the original show into absurd awesomeness for years. This time, they're zeroing in on President Andre Curtis, a character who's been a scene-stealer since his debut. Joining David in the voice cast are Stephanie Beatriz ( Brooklyn Nine-Nine ) and Jim Rash ( Community ). Rash and David's reunion keeps this firmly within the 'Harmon Creative Universe,' considering both worked with him on Community . David has voiced President Curtis across multiple Rick and Morty seasons, but now the character is getting his own platform to shine. In a statement, David shared just how pumped he is for this: 'President Curtis has always been a blast to play. Getting to explore his world more deeply in this new series is a dream. I can't wait for fans to see what kind of chaos he stirs up when Rick isn't around to steal the spotlight.' Given how much havoc Rick Sanchez usually leaves in his wake, it's going to be wild watching Curtis deal with crises that even Rick wouldn't touch. According to the official logline, President Curtis will follow the Commander-in-Chief and his team as they handle problems way beyond the Oval Office: ''President Curtis' follows the Commander-in-Chief and his eccentric staff as they tackle the kind of crises that Rick Sanchez could never be bothered with – from interdimensional diplomacy to paranormal investigations and unexplained phenomena.' Sounds like a mix of political satire, sci-fi insanity, and the kind of weirdness and comedy Rick and Morty fans enjoy. Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen had nothing but praise for the new show and its star character: 'This is a series we would have greenlit even if it didn't have anything at all to do with 'Rick and Morty.' President Andre Curtis is just that good of a character. The rest of the world the team has fleshed out is super fun and totally stands on its own. We can't wait for you to see it.' That says a lot about the strength of this concept, and the fact that Adult Swim believes this show can thrive even without Rick and Morty constantly barging in. David has been absolutely crushing it in voice work lately. Aside from reprising Curtis, he's been popping up all over the animation scene: Hulu's King of the Hill revival, Harbin Hotel , Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai , Family Guy , Hit-Monkey , Masters of the Universe: Revolution , and more. This isn't the first time Adult Swim has spun off a piece of the Rick and Morty multiverse. Fans have already seen projects like Vindicators 2: Last Stand Between Earth and Doom and Rick and Morty: The Anime , plus a stack of shorts and games. But President Curtis feels like the most fun spinoff yet, building a whole new world around a character fans already love.
