Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief Human Resources Officer Kristin Cabot are officially the first people to be professionally investigated for attending a Coldplay concert. The pair were caught on the jumbotron in an intimate embrace during the band’s show in Boston on Wednesday night, which exploded into an inadvertent, viral hard-launch of their apparent affair by Thursday morning.
On Friday, Astronomer issued a statement announcing its Board of Directors “has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly,” adding: “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.”
Both Byron and Cabot have been placed on “immediate leave” according to Axios, which also reports that Astronomer delayed the release of its public statement due to “Byron’s slow resignation and exit package negotiations.”
@hermanntjay Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s reaction , followed by an apology to his wife and family after appearing on a kiss-cam with HR Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay’s concert. #hermanntjay #viral
The pair were caught off guard after their embrace was broadcast to more than 50,000 people at Gillette Stadium. Their immediate reaction was to duck and hide from the camera, which only made them look suspicious. Even Coldplay frontman Chris Martin senses that something was off. “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” he joked from the stage.
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None of the involved parties — Martin included — commented on the incident. Astronomer confirmed that Byron specifically “has not put out any statement” and added that “reports saying otherwise are all incorrect.” The company also clarified that no other employees were seen in the viral clip after social media sleuths used LinkedIn to cross-reference and identify another woman seen in the frame. “Alyssa Stoddard was not at the event,” the statement read.
To make matters only slightly worse, the moment that caused all of this didn’t even happen during a proper Coldplay song. At each show, Martin performs “The Jumbotron Song,” which he improvises based on whichever audience members the camera lands on. Afterwards, he slips into a sweeter moment with “Fix You.” Good luck fixing this.
From Rolling Stone US
