Astronomer CEO Andy Byron Resigns Amid Kiss Cam Incident

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron has resigned following an incident where he was caught on a Coldplay concert Jumbotron cuddling with the company's head of human resources. The couple was caught on the Kiss Cam and Chris Martin jokingly asked if they were having an affair. Astronomer said Byron tendered his resignation and the board of directors accepted. Pete DeJoy will serve as interim CEO as the board searches for its next chief executive.

Astronomer, a prominent tech company, has announced that its CEO, Andy Byron, has resigned following a viral video that captured him embracing the company's head of human resources, Kristin Cabot, during a Coldplay concert. The incident, which occurred at Gillette Stadium, has sparked widespread controversy and raised questions about workplace ethics and potential conflicts of interest.

Byron was shown on the stadium's jumbotron, with his arms wrapped around Cabot as they smiled and swayed in the crowd. Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin commented on their behavior, leading to speculation about their relationship. The video, which went viral on social media, has drawn significant attention and criticism from the public.

Astronomer's board of directors has initiated a formal investigation into the matter. The company has stated that Byron has been placed on leave and that Pete DeJoy, co-founder and chief product officer, will serve as interim CEO. The company has not addressed Cabot's employment status in its statement.

The incident has raised questions about the role of social media in shaping public opinion and the potential for viral content to impact the reputation of individuals and organizations. The video, which was captured by a concertgoer, has been shared widely on social media platforms, with many users expressing their outrage and disappointment at the behavior of the company's leaders.

Byron became CEO of Astronomer in 2023, while Cabot joined the company in November 2024. The company, which achieved unicorn status in 2022 with a valuation of $1 billion or more, has recently moved its headquarters to New York City and secured $93 million in series D funding.

The investigation is ongoing, and the company has pledged to take appropriate action based on the findings. The incident has highlighted the importance of ethical leadership and the need for transparency and accountability in the workplace. The company's response to the allegations will be closely watched by industry observers and stakeholders.

References:
[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andy-byron-astronomer-board-investigation-coldplay-kiss-cam-video/
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/astronomer-investigates-ceo-cpo-viral-concert-embrace-2507/
[3] https://nypost.com/2025/07/19/us-news/andy-byron-caught-canoodling-with-his-head-of-hr-kristin-cabot-at-coldplay-concert-has-resigned-from-ai-company-astronomer/
[4] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/18/astronomer-andy-byron-coldplay-kiss-cam.html
[5] https://pagesix.com/2025/07/19/celebrity-news/astronomers-interim-ceo-pete-dejoy-reacts-to-ex-staffer-saying-hes-laughed-at-the-memes-of-andy-byrons-scandal/