Latest news with #AndyByron
The Independent
a few seconds ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Woman behind viral Coldplay ‘kiss cam' moment speaks out
The woman who filmed the infamous Coldplay 'kiss cam' incident does not regret uploading the clip to social media. Grace Springer posted video of married tech company CEO Andy Byron being caught on a stadium screen embracing a work colleague to TikTok on Friday (18 July), where it went on amass over 122 million views. Appearing on ITV 's This Morning, Springer admitted she felt bad for Byron's wife, but suggested footage of the incident was always likely to surface online. ' I definitely feel for Andy's wife, Megan, his family, and everyone else who's been hurt in the process,' she said. '[But] there were over 50,000 people and I'm not the only one that caught it on camera. ' So if it wasn't me who uploaded it, I'm sure someone else would've.'
Economic Times
a minute ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Solar Eclipse on August 2: Will US witness the awe-inspiring celestial spectacle? NASA shares crucial tips
While total solar eclipses are mostly fascinating, the August 2027 event stands out for its exceptional length A remarkable total solar eclipse will darken the skies over parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East on August 2, 2027. This isn't a regular eclipse, with totality extending up to a remarkable six minutes and 23 seconds. It promises to be one of the most significant celestial occurrences of the century. While total solar eclipses are mostly fascinating, the August 2027 event stands out for its exceptional length. Most total eclipses offer only a brief glimpse of the sun's corona, often for less than three minutes. However, according to the upcoming eclipse breaks this norm, making it the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114. ALSO READ: Coldplay concert row: Astronomer's new CEO to get whopping salary after Andy Byron's resignation? Here's the truth The total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, August 2, 2027, during the early to mid-afternoon hours, depending on your location. The 2027 eclipse will not be visible in many parts of the world, including North and South America, according to a TOI report. Observers in these regions may not witness any part of the eclipse or will only experience a minor partial has shared some tips for sky gazers and enthusiasts for this awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon that will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for millions of people across continents. The way to safely view an annular eclipse and a total solar eclipse is different, the world's largest space agency says. -Eclipse Eye Safety: It is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's bright face. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. ALSO READ: Dylan Dreyer-Brian Fichera divorce: Did 'Today' show host drop red flags before separation? -Eye safety for annual eclipses: When you are watching annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses ('eclipse glasses') or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.-View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.-Do not use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. When viewing a partial or annular eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses. ALSO READ: Could ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron sue Coldplay after kiss cam controversy? Check details -You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun's bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. -As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun. -Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun will still be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.
Economic Times
32 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Can Andy Byron take legal action against Coldplay for the career-threatening viral moment? Experts weigh in
Synopsis Andy Byron's unexpected appearance on Coldplay's kiss cam with his company's HR head led to a viral scandal and his resignation as Astronomer CEO. While the incident stirred speculation about legal action, lawyers confirm Coldplay broke no laws. Experts say the bigger issue is Byron's silence, which continues to deepen the reputational damage he now faces. ET Online Coldplay's kiss cam caught tech CEO Andy Byron in an intimate moment with his HR head Kristin Cabot, sparking a viral scandal and his resignation. Despite speculation, legal experts say Byron can't sue the band due to public exposure laws. What began as a regular night at a Coldplay concert quickly turned into a public relations disaster for Andy Byron, now-former CEO of the tech firm Astronomer. Seated at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Byron appeared on the concert's kiss cam, arms around Astronomer's Head of HR, Kristin Cabot. The brief clip—just 15 seconds—spread like wildfire online. There was one problem: the woman next to Byron wasn't his wife. In the days that followed, Byron resigned from his position, Astronomer issued a corporate statement, and questions surfaced about whether Coldplay bore any responsibility for the viral exposure. Could Byron, now facing reputational damage and career consequences, take legal action against the British band? Legal experts consulted by The Mirror US were unequivocal: Byron has no real legal standing to sue the band. Ron Zambrano of West Coast Employment Lawyers stated bluntly, 'Any legal claims from Byron would be dead on arrival.' Zambrano explained that Coldplay's use of the kiss cam during their performance constitutes artistic expression. More importantly, attendees at public events generally waive their right to privacy, especially when engaging in public displays of affection. 'They just got caught,' he said. Tre Lovell, a civil and entertainment attorney from The Lovell Firm, agreed. 'When you are out in public, you have no right to privacy for your actions,' he said. While laws prohibit using someone's image for commercial gain without permission or portraying them falsely, the kiss cam moment did neither. 'The fact that the big screen caught the CEO doing something embarrassing or immoral in public is on him,' Lovell concluded. — astronomerio (@astronomerio) Byron's resignation came three days after the video began circulating widely online. The company was quick to distance itself from the incident, releasing a carefully worded statement affirming its values of leadership and accountability. 'Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,' Astronomer noted. Cofounder Pete DeJoy has stepped in as interim CEO. While the resignation addressed immediate concerns, media experts argue it doesn't go far enough. Neil Shoebridge, principal at Shoebridge Knowles Media Group, told Mediaweek that both Byron and Cabot's silence has only worsened the crisis. 'They need to own what happened,' he said, pointing out that neither has publicly apologized to employees, stakeholders, or their partners. Professor Catherine Lumby of the University of Sydney added that reputational repair in the age of viral content is complicated. 'This is well beyond brand management,' she told ABC News. 'It's very hard to get that toothpaste back in the tube once it's out.' While Coldplay is unlikely to face any courtroom drama over the kiss cam incident, Byron's personal and professional fallout is far from over. The band's frontman, Chris Martin, seemed to acknowledge the controversy with a subtle comment at a subsequent show: 'If you haven't done your makeup, do it now—you might end up on the big screen.'
Fox News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Coldplay's Chris Martin has warning for concertgoers during first performance after Kiss Cam controversy
If you're at a Coldplay concert, then yes, you might be featured on the jumbotron. Chris Martin gave concertgoers a cheeky warning during one of the band's latest shows, breaking his silence following the viral Kiss Cam saga involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron. On Saturday, the group performed at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. "We'd like to say hello to some of you in the crowd," the 48-year-old said in a video posted on X, which sparked both cheers and laughter from the audience. "How we're gonna do that is we're gonna use our cameras and put some of you on the big screen," said Martin while grinning. "So please, if you haven't done your makeup, do your makeup now." The fan who posted the snippet from Saturday's show later wrote on X that "zero couples" were shown on the venue's jumbotron. The show marked Coldplay's first Music of the Spheres World Tour performance since the explosive Kiss Cam scandal, which took place on Wednesday, July 16, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. During that performance, Byron appeared on the Kiss Cam with his arms wrapped around a woman, who was later identified as his company's HR chief, Kristin Cabot. The pair were on the big screen during "The Jumbotron Song," where Martin improvises songs about couples in the audience. The woman immediately covered her face and turned away from the camera, while a stunned Byron ducked down and exited the frame. Martin then joked that, "Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy." WATCH: COLDPLAY BROUGHT THE COUNTRY AND THE INTERNET TOGETHER WITH THEIR SPOTLIGHT ON AFFAIR COUPLE, SAYS POLITICAL MEDIA ANALYST The company put out a statement after the incident, writing on social media, "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." WATCH: COLDPLAY'S CHRIS MARTIN CATCHES COUPLE ON KISS CAM, JOKINGLY ASKS IF THEY'RE HAVING AN AFFAIR "The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter, and we will have additional details to share very shortly." In another update on Friday, the company announced Byron had been placed on leave and an interim CEO had been appointed. The company later informed followers on Saturday that Byron had resigned from the company. "Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted," the X post read in part. "The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO." Fox News Digital confirmed that Cabot and her ex-husband finalized their divorce in 2022, and New Hampshire property records show Kristin and Andrew Cabot purchased a home as a married couple in April 2024. No divorce records were found for Byron, who appears to still be married. When speaking with The U.S. Sun, Grace Springer, the TikTok user who posted the video of the viral moment, said the moment was a "hot topic" among those at the concert, but that "no one knew who they were" until she posted the video. "I had no idea who the couple was," she said. "Just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the Kiss Cam and decided to post it. A part of me feels bad for turning these people's lives upside down, but play stupid games … win stupid prizes." Springer also added that she hopes "their partners can heal from this" and that "for them, my video was a blessing in disguise."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Coldplay 'kiss cam' couple WANTED to get caught, psychologist claims
It's the 'cheating scandal' that has sent the internet into a frenzy. At a recent Coldplay concert, a seemingly loved-up couple threw themselves on the floor and covered their faces after appearing on 'kiss cam'. The erratic behaviour even caused frontman Chris Martin to quip: 'Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy.' It turns out the pair are Andy Byron, CEO of AI startup Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company's chief people officer. Records suggest both are married to other people - triggering an onslaught of memes, jokes and GIFs about the scandal. Anyone watching the video may wonder why the pair were acting so brazenly in public. Now, one psychologist claims the couple may have wanted to be seen together so they would be 'forced to confront the truth'. So, do you agree with her theory? The couple were seen covering their faces, with Mr Byron, the head of the AI startup Astronomer, diving out of view and Ms Cabot turning away from the camera 'It wasn't just the [apparent] betrayal that grabbed headlines, but rather the boldness of it,' Nicole McNichols, professor of human sexuality at the University of Washington, wrote on Psychology Today. 'A public affair, at a Coldplay concert, and on the jumbotron. Which raises the obvious question - why cheat so publicly?' She said understanding why someone cheats can help people better understand the challenges that all relationships face - even the healthy ones. One reason that people cheat can be emotional disconnection from their partner, she explained, with a long-term relationship becoming more about logistics than nurturing a connection. 'The body language of the couple at the concert was affectionate and emotionally intimate', she said. 'It didn't read as a lusty fling but more like a moment between two people trying to feel seen. 'And when someone feels emotionally invisible in their primary relationship, they may seek validation elsewhere.' Another possible reason for cheating, she said, is a cry for freedom. 'Was this couple trying to get caught? Perhaps not in the viral, TikTok-meme way it unfolded,' she said. 'But attending a packed concert together - when they surely could have hidden somewhere else - suggests that, on some level, they wanted to be seen. 'Or maybe they wanted their situation to blow up so they'd be forced to confront the truth of their lives.' She added that people may 'unconsciously create chaos' when they feel emotionally stuck because they don't know a 'healthier way out'. Other reasons for cheating could include the need for novelty and feeling alive, and the thrill of transgression, she explained. 'In this case, the public nature of the affair almost amplified the thrill,' she wrote. 'It suggests a mindset of entitlement and maybe even a belief that they could get away with what most people wouldn't dare.' None of these excuses excuse the betrayal, she added, but can help explain it. Since the video has gone viral, Mr Byron has resigned and Ms Cabot placed on leave. A comment from Astronomer, read out live on ITV's This Morning, says: 'Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently that standard was not met. 'Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted.' The Mail previously reported that while public records suggest both Mr Byron and Ms Byron are married, they live at different addresses to those listed as their spouses. WHAT TACTICS DO PEOPLE USE TO STOP THEMSELVES CHEATING? Researchers at the University of New Brunswick asked 362 heterosexual adults how they had staved off temptations to cheat while in a relationship. 1. 'Relationship enhancement' Seventy-five per cent of the study's respondents, who were aged between 19 and 63, selected 'relationship enhancement' as their primary tactic. This ploy included things like taking their partner on a date, making an extra effort with their appearance around them, or having more sex with them. 2. 'Proactive avoidance' The second most-popular was 'proactive avoidance', which involved maintaining distance from the temptation. As well as physically avoiding the temptation, people also avoided getting close in conversation with that person. 3. 'Derogation of the temptation' The third and final tactic used by people was 'derogation of the temptation', which involved feelings of guilt, and thinking about the tempting person in a negative light. Participants reported flirting less when they applied the final, 'derogation of the temptation' strategy. But none of the strategies had an effect on the levels of romantic infidelity, sexual infidelity, and whether the relationship survived.
