A viral moment at a Coldplay concert has led to a high-profile shake-up at US data startup Astronomer, with two of its top executives resigning in the aftermath of a widely shared video that captured them embracing on camera.
Kristin Cabot, who served as the company’s Chief People Officer, has stepped down following the resignation of former CEO Andy Byron. Both departures come amid public scrutiny after a clip from the concert surfaced online, showing the pair hugging at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The footage, broadcast live on the venue’s jumbo screen, captured the duo in a close moment before they quickly ducked to avoid the spotlight. The scene drew a playful comment from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who told the crowd, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.”
Soon after the clip gained traction, media outlets identified the individuals as Byron—who is married—and Cabot. The video spread rapidly across platforms, gathering millions of views, inspiring memes, and becoming a topic of conversation across talk shows and online forums.
Byron was initially placed on administrative leave but resigned on Saturday. Astronomer confirmed the decision in a press release, stating, “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted.”
The company addressed the incident with a public statement reinforcing its commitment to accountability and leadership ethics. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”
Astronomer, headquartered in New York, said its board has begun the process of selecting a new CEO. In the meantime, Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy will continue serving as interim chief executive.
DeJoy acknowledged the unexpected publicity in a follow-up message, noting, “The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies—let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world—ever encounter.”
He added that although the situation propelled the company into the spotlight, Astronomer remains focused on its long-term goals. “We’re committed to moving forward and building something great.”