What was meant to be a feel-good moment at a Coldplay concert took a scandalous turn when frontman Chris Martin jokingly suggested that a couple caught on the venue’s kiss cam were “having an affair.” The crowd laughed, but the couple’s visibly panicked reaction soon fuelled internet sleuthing and viral speculation that they were indeed more than just colleagues, and not supposed to be seen together in that way.
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Caught in the spotlight
The awkward moment occurred during Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres world tour stop at Gillette Stadium near Boston. As the stadium’s jumbotron zeroed in on a man and a woman in an intimate embrace, Martin initially cooed at the scene, only to pause and remark, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” A moment later, he added, “Oh no, I hope we didn’t do something bad.”
@news.com.au A cute moment at a Coldplay moment turned awkward when it busted a tech CEO with his head of HR. #coldplay #concert #music #fyp #usa ♬ original sound – News.com.au
What began as a cheeky joke quickly snowballed. The man and woman scrambled to hide their faces — she turned her back to the camera and covered her face, while he ducked behind the barrier. The reaction was anything but casual, triggering widespread curiosity online.
Identities exposed
Within hours, internet sleuths had identified the pair as Andy Byron, CEO of US-based AI and data company Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the firm’s Chief People Officer. The discovery only added fuel to the fire, as Byron is believed to be married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, while Cabot recently finalised a divorce from Kenneth Thornby. Social media users were quick to draw their own conclusions, suggesting that the pair’s panicked behaviour confirmed suspicions of an affair.
The viral video, which has amassed millions of views on TikTok, has become a digital lightning rod, with users mocking the pair’s reaction and Byron’s apparent indiscretion. “Sad way for his wife to find out he likes Coldplay,” one user quipped. Others weren’t as gentle, pointing out the irony of an HR executive allegedly engaging in an inappropriate workplace relationship.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin reflects on the moment
Chris Martin, who initially made light of the moment, later appeared to show some regret. During the same concert, after a second couple appeared on the screen, he jokingly asked, “Are you two a legitimate couple?” before referencing the earlier incident and laughing awkwardly. According to fans, he reiterated his hope that he hadn’t “done something bad” by drawing attention to the first pair.
While Martin’s comments were clearly improvised and meant in jest, they’ve since been framed as the catalyst for a public relations nightmare for the couple in question.
Workplace dynamics under scrutiny
In the wake of the incident, former employees of Astronomer have reportedly taken great interest in the drama, with one ex-colleague telling the New York Post that group chats were “buzzing” with laughter at Byron’s expense. The same source accused Byron of being a “toxic” boss, suggesting that sympathy was in short supply.
Byron had previously praised Cabot’s leadership when she joined the company in late 2024, describing her as an HR veteran with “exceptional” people skills. Cabot, meanwhile, described her early conversations with Byron as energising and said she looked forward to building trust across the company. These once-innocuous remarks now read very differently in light of recent events.
Astronomer stays silent
As the viral clip continues to circulate, Astronomer has yet to issue a formal response. A statement shared on social media claiming to be from the company has since been debunked, with sources confirming it was fabricated. Attempts to reach Byron and Cabot for comment have also been unsuccessful.
Although the affair remains unconfirmed, the visual evidence, public reaction and context surrounding their working relationship have all contributed to a compelling — if unfortunate — narrative. The saga has also revived broader discussions around workplace relationships, power dynamics, and the role of HR professionals in maintaining boundaries.
Whether this story quietly fades or sparks real consequences for those involved remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is certain: Coldplay’s kiss cam has given social media something to talk about, and this time, it wasn’t about the music.
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https://www.womanandhomemagazine.co.za/entertainment/celebrity/lupita-nyongo-uterine-fibroid-awareness/Featured Image: TikTok | news.com.au
