Astronomer CEO Andy Byron put on leave after Coldplay Disaster

Astronomer has placed its CEO, Andy Byron, on leave following a viral video from a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Boston on July 16, 2025. The video showed CEO Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot, in an embrace during a “kiss cam” segment. The pair quickly attempted to hide when displayed on the stadium’s screen. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin commented, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy,” prompting speculation online.

Astronomer announced a formal investigation into the incident, stating that co-founder Pete DeJoy will serve as interim CEO. The company clarified that no other employees were in the video and that Byron has not issued a personal statement, despite false reports circulating online.

Astronomer is a data orchestration platform founded in 2018, specializing in Apache Airflow to help businesses manage data workflows. Andy Byron joined as CEO in July 2023, succeeding the original leadership. The viral video sparked public interest due to the professional roles of Byron and Cabot, raising questions about workplace conduct. The “kiss cam” incident, a common feature at U.S. sports and entertainment events, unexpectedly spotlighted the pair, leading to widespread social media discussion and the company’s swift response. (Rh/Eth/RS)