Astronomer CEO Andy Byron Placed on Leave After Viral “Kiss Cam” Incident at Coldplay Concert

Andy Byron, CEO of the U.S.-based data infrastructure company Astronomer, has been placed on administrative leave after a viral incident at a Coldplay concert sparked public and corporate backlash. The drama unfolded at Boston’s Gillette Stadium, where Byron and the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, were filmed on the venue’s “kiss cam” during the show. The clip, which quickly went viral on social media, shows the two appearing close and then awkwardly pulling away as they noticed the camera, causing Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin to joke mid-performance, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

The viral moment led to swift internal consequences. Astronomer’s board confirmed that both Byron and Cabot are now on leave pending the outcome of a formal internal investigation. The company emphasized its commitment to upholding accountability and ethical conduct within its leadership team. Pete DeJoy, Astronomer’s co-founder and Chief Product Officer, has stepped in as interim CEO during the probe.

The fallout extended beyond the company. Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan, has reportedly removed his surname from her social media accounts and deleted her Facebook profile. Meanwhile, Byron has taken down his LinkedIn profile, and speculation continues to swirl around his future with the company. The situation intensified as false statements and memes attributed to Byron began circulating online, prompting the company to issue a warning that such content was fabricated.

The woman who recorded the moment, TikToker Grace Springer, said she had no idea the video would go viral and acknowledged the emotional toll it may be having on those involved. “This is someone’s real life,” she said in an interview, even while admitting that the incident drew attention because of the surprising setting and reactions.

This episode has fueled broader conversations around personal behavior in public spaces, especially when it involves high-profile individuals. It also highlights how quickly seemingly trivial moments can escalate into major corporate crises, especially in the age of social media virality. The Astronomer board has promised to release the findings of the investigation soon, though no timeline has been set.