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A US tech company has placed its CEO on leave following the circulation of a video showing an embrace at a Coldplay concert. The individuals in the video are rumored to be two of the firm’s employees.
The clip, which initially surfaced on a large screen at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, depicts two people embracing.
As their faces were displayed for the audience, the individuals abruptly ducked and attempted to conceal themselves from the camera.
Reports identifying the pair as executives at the company Astronomer, coupled with speculation of an affair fueled by a comment from Coldplay’s Chris Martin, subsequently spread online. Astronomer confirmed late Friday that its CEO, Andy Byron, had been placed on leave.
Byron has been with Astronomer since July 2023. He has not confirmed that he is the man featured in the video.
The woman has been identified online as Kristin Cabot, the company’s chief people officer, who joined Astronomer in November 2024. She has also not confirmed her presence in the video.
The BBC has not been able to independently verify the identities of the individuals in the video.
The video, showing the pair swaying to music before attempting to hide, gained widespread attention after the concert on Wednesday night.
Upon witnessing their attempt to conceal themselves, Coldplay’s Martin remarked to the crowd: “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.”
The initial video, posted to TikTok, garnered millions of views and was subsequently shared across various platforms, inspiring memes and parodies on television programs.
Two days after the internet was flooded with discussion about the embrace, Astronomer issued a statement announcing an investigation into the matter, without directly referencing the video.
The company noted that Mr. Byron had not released a personal statement and that reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate. Fake statements purportedly from Mr. Byron circulated widely on Thursday.
The statement also indicated that no other employees were in the video.
“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” the statement read. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.”
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