The chief executive and human resources director of a US tech firm have both stepped down following a viral moment at a Coldplay concert that raised questions about their conduct. Andy Byron, CEO of the software company Astronomer, resigned on Saturday after footage surfaced of him and colleague Kristin Cabot on the arena’s “kiss cam”. Ms Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer, has also since resigned, according to reports by TMZ.
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During the concert, the “kiss cam” zoomed in on the pair, prompting Ms Cabot to quickly move away and cover her face, while Mr Byron attempted to duck out of view. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin jokingly remarked, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy,” as the crowd responded with laughter. The moment was soon re-enacted by fans and mascots across the United States and spread widely on social media.
Astronomer, a New York-based company reportedly valued at around $1bn (£770m), confirmed it had launched an internal investigation. In a public statement, the company said: “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 incident comes shortly after the firm raised $93m (£69.3m) in investment funding.
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Mr Byron had been with Astronomer for two years, while Ms Cabot joined in 2024 and was previously praised for her commitment to creating diverse and collaborative work environments. Both individuals were reportedly married, though Ms Cabot is understood to have divorced in 2022. Media outlets have reported that a woman believed to be Mr Byron’s wife has since changed her surname on Facebook.
