Astronomer Inc., a New York–based data‑workflow software company, has initiated a formal investigation after a video from a Coldplay concert in Boston went viral, showing Chief Executive Officer Andy Byron reportedly in a close embrace with Kristin Cabot, the company’s head of human resources.
The Kiss‑Cam clip, taken at Gillette Stadium during Coldplay’s show, featured Byron and Cabot in an apparently intimate moment. The video quickly spread on TikTok and other platforms, attracting tens of millions of views and sparking widespread speculation about whether the two were engaged in an extramarital affair.
In a statement published on X (formerly Twitter), Astronomer’s board said it “has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and will have additional details to share very shortly.” The company stressed that its “leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability”.
Astronomer confirmed that no other staff were present in the footage, dispelling earlier rumors that other employees were involved. The board’s statement followed public scrutiny and internal concern over potential violations of the company’s workplace ethics and compliance policies.
According to reports, both Byron and Cabot have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which the board is conducting with the support of external counsel. The inquiry comes at a delicate time, only days after the Kiss Cam incident was broadcast, followed by mounting commentary from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who jokingly remarked, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy”.
A spokesperson for Astronomer declined further comment when reached by Reuters. Attempts to contact both Byron and Cabot were unsuccessful.
Online reaction has been intense, with users dissecting the video, sharing memes, and commenting on the implications for corporate culture. One viral post remarked, “They’re definitely getting fired,” while others defended the incident as a private moment blown out of proportion.
Ethics and governance experts say such situations underscore the need for transparency and clear policies around workplace relationships—especially when they involve senior leaders and HR personnel, who are entrusted with enforcing compliance standards.
“Romantic involvement between senior executives and heads of HR raises significant conflict-of-interest risks,” said corporate governance analyst Margaret Sweeney at Beacon Compliance. “It can erode trust in internal controls and damage morale.”
Astronomer, which offers an open-source data pipeline management platform used by clients such as Adobe and Capital One, recently raised more than $775 million in a Series D funding round, according to PitchBook. The company remains in the early stages of exploring either an initial public offering or strategic acquisition later this year.
How the board handles the investigation and whether Byron and Cabot remain in their positions could significantly impact Astronomer’s reputation, culture, and potential valuation.
NYC Journals 