US tech CEO resignation after the viral Coldplay concert embrace:
- Andy Byron, CEO of the AI/data startup Astronomer, has resigned after a video from a Coldplay concert went viral. In the footage, a man identified as Byron and Kristin Cabot, his HR chief, were seen embracing during the show, then ducked away when they realized they were on the stadium’s kiss cam
- Following public scrutiny, Astronomer placed Byron on administrative leave and launched a formal investigation. On July 19, 2025, the company confirmed his resignation and announced Cofounder & Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy as interim CEO while a search for a permanent successor begins
Why This Matters
- The viral video gained immense traction—millions of views across platforms—with Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin joking on-stage that the couple might be “having an affair or just very shy,” adding spectacle to the moment
- The incident illustrates how public exposure and viral attention can lead to serious professional consequences—especially for senior executives expected to uphold leadership standards
- Despite the incident, Astronomer reaffirmed that its mission and products in DataOps and AI remain unaffected and that the viral attention hasn’t changed its core purpose
About Andy Byron & Astronomer
- Andy Byron became CEO of Astronomer in July 2023, following leadership roles at Fuze, Cybereason, and Lacework. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College
- Under his leadership, Astronomer raised $93 million in Series D funding in 2025, valuing the company at over $1.3 billion, and expanded internationally with a new London office
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 16, 2025 | Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium; kiss-cam video captured |
| Following days | Video goes viral; investigation launched; Ashton placed on leave |
| July 19, 2025 | Byron resigns; DeJoy named interim CEO while search begins |
Takeaways
- Leadership responsibilities extend beyond business conduct—public behavior matters.
- In the age of digital surveillance and virality, private moments become public scenes in seconds.
- Even amid controversy, Astronomer emphasized its continuity in serving customers in analytics and AI