New York, NY – July 18, 2025 – Astronomer, a leading data infrastructure startup, has issued a formal statement addressing a viral video involving its CEO, Andy Byron, at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The incident, which captured Byron embracing Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot on a jumbotron, has sparked widespread speculation and led to a formal investigation by the company’s Board of Directors.In its official statement released on July 18, Astronomer said, “Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability. The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.” The company also confirmed that Byron has been placed on leave, with co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy appointed as interim CEO.
The controversy began during Coldplay’s July 16 concert at Gillette Stadium, where a “kiss cam” segment showed Byron and Cabot in a close embrace. The pair quickly separated upon realizing they were on camera, prompting Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The video, posted on TikTok by user Grace Springer, amassed over 34 million views, fueling online speculation and memes.
Astronomer also clarified misinformation surrounding the incident, stating that a widely circulated apology attributed to Byron was fake. The fabricated statement, which appeared on a parody X account, claimed Byron expressed remorse and criticized the public exposure of a “private moment.” The company debunked this, noting, “Andy Byron has not put out any statement, reports saying otherwise are all incorrect.” Additionally, Astronomer confirmed that senior director of people Alyssa Stoddard was not at the concert, contrary to some social media claims.
Byron, who has served as Astronomer’s CEO since July 2023, has led the company to significant growth, including a $93 million Series D funding round in May 2025. The Cincinnati-based firm, now headquartered in New York, achieved “unicorn” status in 2022 with a valuation exceeding $1 billion.
Neither Byron nor Cabot has issued a personal statement regarding the incident. The company’s investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as Astronomer navigates the reputational fallout from what has been dubbed “ColdplayGate” online.
