Astronomer CEO and HR head resign after viral kiss cam moment

A viral kiss cam moment at a Coldplay concert in July that showed Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s head of human resources, Kristin Cabot, in an awkward embrace has cost both executives their jobs and sparked a wider personal and corporate fallout. The clip, filmed July 16 at Gillette Stadium, was replayed widely online and prompted immediate scrutiny of the relationship between the two senior leaders of the AI-focused data company.

Stadium footage shows Byron and Cabot linking arms and swaying before they ducked from view when the jumbotron panned to them. The moment drew a quip from the band’s frontman, who joked, "Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy," and a startled mutter from Byron that was captured on camera. Within days, Astronomer placed both executives on leave and soon accepted their resignations, saying the episode had altered public perception though its products and customer work had not changed.

The scandal spilled into the personal lives of those involved. Court records show Kristin Cabot filed for divorce on August 13. A spokesperson for Andrew Cabot, her husband, confirmed the couple had been separated weeks before the concert and...