Coldplay Kiss Cam Clip Lands Two Execs On Leave, Under Investigation

A buss cam, a Coldplay performance and 2 apical executives caught mid-cuddle — now, their institution is stepping in. Data operations institution Astronomer has launched an soul investigation aft a viral stadium infinitesimal turned into a very nationalist HR headache.

In an X post connected nan day of Friday, July 18, Astronomer confirmed it is alert of nan video and is taking action.

“Astronomer is committed to nan values and civilization that person guided america since our founding,” nan connection read. “Our leaders are expected to group nan modular successful some behaviour and accountability. The Board of Directors has initiated a general investigation into this matter and we will person further specifications to stock very shortly.”

What happened astatine nan Coldplay concert?

The incident took spot connected Wednesday, July 16, during Coldplay’s performance successful Massachusetts. A buss cam trim to different couples successful nan audience, yet landing connected a man pinch his arms astir a woman. The 2 quickly turned away, prompting Coldplay lead vocalist Chris Martin to joke, “Either they’re having an matter aliases they’re conscionable very shy.”

Within hours, net sleuths identified nan brace arsenic Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot. The 2 are not joined to each other.

Byron’s woman was not astatine nan concert. Social media users noticed she deleted her Facebook page and removed her joined sanction from her show sanction soon aft nan clip went viral.

According to Axios, sources said some Byron and Cabot were instantly placed connected time off pending nan result of nan investigation.

Online sleuthing and memes return over

Speculation astir nan woman’s personality led immoderate users to falsely presume nan female was different Astronomer executive, HR Vice President Alyssa Stoddard. Others guessed that a 2nd female opinionated disconnected to nan broadside was Stoddard instead. The institution addressed nan disorder directly, stating, “Alyssa Stoddard was not astatine nan arena and nary different labor were successful nan video.”

That didn’t extremity nan net from moving chaotic pinch jokes. 

One personification posted, “[The look when] your dream occupation conscionable opened up,” alluding to imaginable terminations. Others joked astir nan institution Slack transmission aliases posted clips of erstwhile NFL backmost Tom Brady smirking pinch nan caption, “The full agency erstwhile nan CEO and HR main locomotion successful to activity aft that Coldplay concert.” That video unsocial has racked up complete 400,000 views.

As nan video continued to spread, truthful did clone statements. One mendacious station featured a fabricated apology from Byron, but Astronomer made clear: “Andy Byron has not put retired immoderate statement, reports saying different are each incorrect.”

Corporate romance and different affairs successful nan spotlight

Romance successful nan workplace is not a caller phenomenon, but it seldom goes nationalist this fast.

High-profile couples for illustration Bill and Melinda Gates met astatine Microsoft aft Melinda joined arsenic a merchandise head successful 1987. The 2 are now divorced.

Boeing CEO Harry Stonecipher was ousted successful 2005 aft an soul probe revealed a narration pinch different executive. Company execs reportedly received an anonymous extremity that Stonecipher was having an matter for astatine slightest a fewer months. He was joined pinch 2 children astatine nan time, though his woman revenge for divorcement pursuing nan event.

Coldplay reenters nan charts

While nan business whitethorn beryllium uncomfortable for Byron and Cabot, Coldplay is seeing a bump successful popularity.

Following nan viral moment, nan set reached a highest worth of 100 connected Google Trends and re-entered Spotify’s Top 50 U.S. Songs chart. As of Friday, “Sparks” had climbed to No. 42.

Fans online began posting their play euphony recaps, showing Coldplay dominating their playlists.