On July 16, 2025, a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, became the unexpected stage for a viral scandal involving Astronomer, a data infrastructure company. What started as a lighthearted “kiss cam” moment during the band’s performance has spiraled into a social media firestorm, raising questions about workplace culture, leadership, and personal relationships at the $740 million company.
The Viral Moment
During the concert, the jumbotron captured Astronomer’s CEO, Andy Byron, and Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, in a cozy embrace. The pair quickly pulled apart and attempted to shield their faces when they realized they were on display, prompting Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, to quip, “Oh, look at these two… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.” The comment, paired with the awkward moment, was caught on video and exploded across platforms like TikTok, X, and Instagram, amassing over 34 million views on TikTok alone. Dubbed “ColdplayGate” by some online, the clip sparked memes, jokes, and intense speculation about an alleged affair, as both Byron and Cabot are reportedly married to other people.
Social media sleuths noted that Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, removed her husband’s last name from her Facebook profile and later deleted her account entirely. Similarly, Cabot reportedly dropped her second surname, Thornby, from her social media profiles. These actions fueled rumors of personal turmoil, with users dissecting every detail of the footage, including the nervous laughter of another Astronomer employee visible in the clip.
Fallout and Workplace Questions
Beyond the personal drama, the incident has cast a spotlight on Astronomer’s workplace culture. Former employees have taken to platforms like X to criticize Byron’s leadership, describing it as “toxic” and “sales-obsessed.” Some pointed to his tenure at Cybereason, where similar complaints about a high-pressure environment surfaced. The presence of another Astronomer employee in the footage, seemingly aware of the situation, has led to speculation that the alleged relationship was an open secret within the company. Online critics have labeled the situation a potential sign of a “toxic workplace,” with one X user joking, “Getting caught at a Coldplay concert is bad, but liking Coldplay might be the real scandal.”
Astronomer, known for its Astro platform powered by Apache Airflow, has remained silent on the matter. Neither Byron nor Cabot has issued a public statement. A viral “apology” attributed to Byron, referencing Coldplay’s “Fix You” and expressing regret, was debunked by Astronomer’s media team as fake, along with another satirical claim that Byron was stepping back due to his passion for Coldplay’s music. The company clarified to TMZ that these statements came from unverified sources, including a dubious account named “Peter Enis.”
A Double-Edged Sword
The scandal has undeniably boosted Astronomer’s visibility, putting the company’s name in front of millions who might not otherwise know about its data orchestration services. However, the attention comes at a cost. The viral moment has intensified scrutiny of Byron’s leadership and the company’s internal dynamics, especially after its recent $740 million valuation following a Series D funding round in May 2025. While some online reactions express sympathy for Byron’s wife and others involved, others have leaned into humor, with memes joking about the irony of a corporate scandal unfolding at a Coldplay concert.
What’s Next?
As the internet continues to dissect “ColdplayGate,” Astronomer faces the challenge of navigating the fallout. Will the company address the rumors head-on, or continue its silence? For now, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly a private moment can become a public spectacle in the age of social media—and how a night at a concert can turn into a corporate crisis.
