- Astronomer CEO Andy Byron is on leave after a viral Coldplay concert video, the company said.
- The video appeared to show Byron embracing HR head Kristin Cabot, sparking an internet frenzy.
- Astronomer is investigating the incident, with Pete DeJoy named interim CEO.
Tech company Astronomer has placed its chief executive on leave after he appeared to be filmed embracing the company’s head of HR, Kristin Cabot, at a Coldplay concert.
Astronomer said in a statement Friday that CEO Andy Byron was placed on leave and that Pete DeJoy, cofounder and chief product officer, was interim CEO.
“We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days,” the company said in a statement on X.
Astronomer cofounder and CTO, Greg Neiheisel, Byron, and Cabot did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
Byron’s leave comes after a “kiss cam”-style crowd clip from a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium, near Boston, appeared to show him embracing Cabot.
In the now-viral footage, it appeared that Byron had his arms wrapped around Cabot until they were spotlighted on the big screen. The pair quickly ducked out of view, prompting Coldplay front man Chris Martin to comment they were either “having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
The clip quickly became an internet sensation, garnering tens of millions of views and an endless supply of memes.
Astronomer announced earlier on Friday that the company’s board was investigating the incident. The public statement, shared on X, added that no other employees were in the footage, dismissing a rumor that another employee was captured on screen. The company also said Byron had not issued any public statement in response to fake statements that were being shared online.
“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” the company wrote earlier on X. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.”
