Andy Byron, CEO of Cincinnati-based tech firm Astronomer, resigned on July 19, 2025, following a viral video from a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts, showing him embracing Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot. The footage, captured during the band’s “Jumbotron Song” segment on July 16, prompted Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” igniting a social media firestorm.

The video, initially posted on TikTok, garnered millions of views, with internet sleuths identifying Byron, who is married with two children, and Cabot. Astronomer’s board launched an investigation on Friday, placing both executives on leave. By Saturday, the company announced Byron’s resignation, stating, “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.” Co-founder Pete DeJoy was named interim CEO.

The incident raised concerns about workplace conduct, with former employees alleging a “toxic” environment under Byron’s leadership. Social media reactions ranged from sympathy for Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, to mockery, with one X post stating, “Don’t cheat, kids!” Gillette Stadium’s privacy policy notes attendees may be filmed, a common practice at concerts, amplifying the public exposure.

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Experts highlight the role of technology in escalating such scandals. “Social media has turned into a surveillance system,” said Mary Angela Bock, a journalism professor at the University of Texas, noting how AI and biometrics enable rapid identification. The episode underscores the risks of public exposure in the digital age, even for private moments.

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