“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy," Coldplay's Chris Martin commented during the incident.
Coldplay @ Optus Stadium (Credit: Sam Mead)
Andy Byron, the CEO of private data infrastructure and operations company Astronomer, is at the centre of a media controversy after an appearance on a ‘Kiss Cam’ at a Coldplay concert showed him allegedly embracing one of his colleagues.
The incident in question occurred at Coldplay’s recent concert at Gillette Stadium in the US state of Massachusetts this week, and was later uploaded to TikTok where it went viral.
During the gig, the venue’s large digital display focused on members of the audience, before shifting its attention to a couple who have reportedly been identified as Andy Byron and Astronomer’s chief people officer, Kristin Cabot, according to Fortune.
The pair can be seen smiling, with Byron’s arms placed around Cabot, as the camera pans over to them. However, a shocked Cabot quickly hides her face and turns away while Byron ducks down to avoid the spotlight.
“Oh, look at these two,” Coldplay frontman Chris Martin could be heard saying as the incident unfolds. “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
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Interested sleuths were quick to track down the pair, with Men’s Journal reporting that Byron is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, though its unclear if she was also in attendance.
These same reports have also claimed that Kerrigan has since deleted her Facebook account due to the unwanted attention, having apparently removed her husband’s name from the profile before doing so.
While Byron has not publicly addressed the incident, it has, however, generated widespread attention online, with countless users sharing memes and jokes inspired by the incident.
One post includes a fabricated post from Coldplay’s official Twitter/X account in which they announced, “Starting with our next show, we’re introducing camera-free audience sections for people and their sidepieces.”
Another satirical post purports to be an official statement from Byron, shared to Astronomer’s own Twitter/X account. “Let me start by apologizing to my family, my wife, and our wonderful employees,” the post begins. “My behavior is inexcusable and the shame I am receiving is well deserved.
“I tried to hide my actions but the truth has finally been revealed. I am a Coldplay fan. And not just of the first two albums. I also like the recent stuff. I am going to take some time to contemplate my future, please respect our family's privacy at this time.”