Amanda Keller defends Coldplay duo's ‘mistake'
For anyone who has been living under a rock the past week, British band Coldplay was playing in Boston, Massachusetts, on Wednesday night when Chris Martin launched the show's kiss cam.
On large screens around the venue, the CEO of tech company Astronomer, Andy Byron, was seen embracing the company's head of HR, Kristin Cabot. Once the pair realised what was happening, they immediately sprung apart and tried to hide from view, with a look of horror on their faces.
It has since become one of the most viral moments of 2025, with companies capitalising on the saga for advertising, becoming the butt of jokes on morning TV shows around the world, sporting teams re-enacting it and social media users harnessing artificial intelligence to make it even funnier.
In the last week, Mr Byron was placed on leave and then resigned, while Pete DeJoy, the company's co-founder and chief product officer, was made interim CEO. The fallout has been momentous.
Amanda Keller, who hosts a GOLD 101.7 radio show with Brendan Jones, took to the airwaves to ponder whether what had happened was fair and give a fresh perspective on the scandal.
'This whole situation of the CEO and the HR woman,' she began.
'It's interesting because there's a couple of ways of looking at this. It's united the whole world in the glee that we've all felt at this situation.'
She admitted she had laughed at the situation, and even shared memes. Jones said there didn't appear to be much sympathy for those involved.
'How would you feel if you were constantly defined by the worst mistake you'd ever made,' she asked.
'And these people up on this big screen have families. What a huge mistake they've made.'
She added that the situation had also caused more important stories to be overshadowed. Keller described the world's reaction to the clip as 'hyena's picking at the bones'.
'I am starting to feel uncomfortable with my own reaction,' she admitted.
Jonesy asked if she was now feeling bad, and she confirmed that she was. She added that it felt as though many people commenting on the saga were just grateful it wasn't them.
'Imagine if you had a humiliating moment — it doesn't have to be an affair — and it suddenly becomes viral and you lose everything,' she said.
Several members of the public weighed in on what Keller said — with some expressing sympathy while others declared the duo got what was coming to them.
'In an era where people love to virtue signal about mental health and online bullying, I'm surprised it's taken this long for people to wake up to this. Had either of them taken their own life in the wake of this scandal I doubt there'd be too many expressing their 'glee',' one person said.
Another added: 'None. I have NO sympathy for anyone who cheats. If they had morals they would end their marriages before dating but instead they chose to lie, sneak and betray.'
Someone else chimed in: 'What Amanda is missing is that the woman is the head of HR, who constantly reminds staff and what and what not to do. It's like the rules don't apply to these two because they are at the top. Do as I say not as I do. That is part of the reason I think it went viral.'
One said: 'When you've been on the other side of this it's hard to feel sympathy for these people.'
'He's been treated so unfairly,' another commented.
One social media user wrote: 'I think world wide public humiliation is absolutely horrendous. I feel for the children. There's people cheating on people every minute of every day. And there's worldwide issues that get no humiliation that are far worse.'
'Yes they have families and it is a huge mistake- but why didn't they consider their families BEFORE they started cheating,' another commented.
One questioned: 'Mistake???? This was not a 'mistake'. It was a premeditated action that got unearthed in unfortunate circumstances.'
'Big difference between a 'mistake' and two people choosing to cheat on their partners,' another echoed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
a minute ago
- News.com.au
Lionel Messi embarrassed as he and wife Antonela are shown on Coldplay kiss cam
Lionel Messi was caught in a rare moment of awkwardness with his stunning wife Antonela Roccuzzo at a Coldplay concert. The loved-up couple were enjoying the British rock-band's final US show in Miami when the dreaded kiss cam landed squarely on them, The Sun reports. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. It comes days after the kiss scam scandal involving married and now former Astronomer chief executive Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot. Their ducking reaction to being filmed at Boston's gig caught the world's attention – with millions now talking about an alleged affair. And while many might seize the opportunity for a public smooch, Messi seemed to go bright red given the circumstances (see below). Footage circulating on social media showed the Inter Miami star smiling sheepishly, while Antonela, ever graceful, beamed beside him. With everyone in the crowd cheering 'Messi', the couple waved to fans before Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin serenaded them. Martin, who had jokingly called out Byron and Cabot's potential 'affair' during his performance last week, thanked Messi for coming and called him 'the No. 1 sports person of all-time'. And it didn't take long for fans online to see the funny side. One wrote: 'They should have tried to hide for a second. That would be hilarious.' While another said: 'They were just singing and not dodging any Cam scandals.' A third said: 'Jumbotron with Lionel Messi! (He didn't hide, though).' A fourth joked: 'At least someone went with their own wife. Good.' Although not spotted in the viral clip, Antonela later posted snaps of the couple's three sons enjoying the show at the Hard Rock Stadium. Thiago, 12, was pictured wearing a Coldplay cap, while Mateo, nine, wore a snazzy pair of 3D glasses as Ciro, six, cuddled into his dad. Meanwhile, Messi was serving a one-match suspension for Inter Miami's game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and fellow Barcelona legend Jordi Alba were punished for skipping Major League Soccer's All-Star game earlier this week. Both players missed Wednesday's match in Austin, Texas where the MLS squad posted a 3-1 win against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars. Elsewhere, humiliated Byron and Cabot quit their jobs at the tech company as a result of the scandal. And Martin's ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow was hired by Astronomer for a tongue-in-cheek video, in what fans are describing as a genius PR move.
News.com.au
31 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Warning: These emojis could mean your partner is cheating according to a private investigator
The Coldplay kiss-cam scandal – which saw a married boss and his alleged mistress caught in an embrace on the big screen – has become a global talking point. But, while the story went viral, there may be a far less public and more discreet way to spot your partner is cheating. A top private investigator told Fabulous the secret code cheaters are using to hide affairs on their phones. While some go to extreme lengths to cover their tracks, others are using something far more subtle: emojis. According to Paul Jones from ARF Private Investigators, apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat have become a hotbed for hidden relationships, with secret codes, archived chats and sneaky symbols replacing the traditional love letter. People often think of cheating as something obvious such as flirty photos, late nights or secret calls. But Paul says many of the cases he works on start with something as small as a random emoji. Sneaky symbols He told The Sun: 'Over the past year we've seen an increase in people using everyday symbols as a way to communicate without getting caught. 'On the surface, it might look innocent, but there's usually a deeper meaning.' One of the most common signs? A flurry of harmless-looking messages with the croissant or padlock emojis. If these symbols are in your partner's most-used emojis – found by clicking the emoji icon on the keyboard when typing a message – it could be an indicator they are being used for an affair. These symbols may mean nothing to you, but to someone cheating, they are code for dinners, hook-ups, or secret messages. Paul added: 'We've had people using a croissant emoji as a way of saying 'meet me for breakfast', or the letter emoji as a subtle 'text me when you're free'. 'It's like their own language, one that their partner isn't meant to understand.' Here are just a few examples Paul has seen used in real cases: The private investigator added: 'Used once or twice they don't mean much. 'But when you see them appearing regularly in chats with the same person, especially late at night, they start to mean something more.' Warning signs So what phone habits should you look out for with your partner? Paul continued: 'Start with your gut. 'If your partner suddenly starts hiding their phone, keeping conversations short, or you notice new contacts with strange names or emojis, that's when you should start asking questions.' There are other ways to find out your partner is having an affair – Carla Bellucci had a decade-long affair with her now husband Gio, and she text Gio's ex evidence of their relationship. If you're at a crossroads in your relationship, or feel you need advice and support, The Sun 's Dear Deidre team of qualified counsellors are available. Read their advice for a woman who's fallen pregnant with a wealthy man's baby, who is struggling to come to terms with the fact he wants to take no responsibility for their baby. Four red flags your partner is cheating Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating. They start to take their phone everywhere with them In close relationships, it's normal to know each other's passwords and use each other's phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something. Aaron says: 'If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful.' 'You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something.' They start telling you less about their day When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you. 'If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don't want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag.' 'Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it's an easy way to get caught out,' says Aaron. Their libido changes Your partner's libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron. 'Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating,' Aaron said. 'You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren't there before.' They become negative towards you Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify. 'To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere,' Aaron warns. 'Maybe you haven't walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating.'
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Candid new photos suggest two big noughties stars are quietly dating
Two big noughties movies stars have been spotted holding hands after seeing a movie together, suggesting they may be quietly dating. She's All That and Josie and the Pussycats actress Rachael Leigh Cook, 45, was spotted hand-in-hand with former Superman actor Brandon Routh, also 45, in Los Angeles over the weekend. The pair seemed very happy together as they waited in line, Cook holding Routh's hand and at one point putting her arm around his back. Celeb outlet Just Jared, who first reported the news, said the pair may have been dating for months – they made a joint appearance on the Instagram page of a restaurant in Iowa after dining together back in February. Routh is best known for playing Superman in the 2006 film Superman Returns, a one-film entry into the DC Comics franchise after a sequel planned for 2009 was cancelled. The franchise was later rebooted with Henry Cavill for Man of Steel in 2013. He was previously married to actress Courtney Ford in 2007 – the couple have a son together, however Ford filed for divorce in January of this year citing 'irreconcilable differences.' While Cook's career as an actress and model started when she was just a child, she's best known for her starring role in the 1999 teen comedy She's All That alongside Freddie Prinze Jr. and for playing the titular role in Josie and the Pussycats two years later. She wed Canadian actor Daniel Gillies in 2004, and the pair had two children together before they divorced in 2021. Cook said in a 2021 interview that, despite her string of box office hits around the turn of the millennium, she never saw herself as being in contention with some of the other big young actresses of the time. 'I never saw myself as shiny and pretty in the way that someone like Jessica Alba or Jennifer Love Hewitt were then,' she told The Independent.
