There are awkward moments, and then there are moments so toe-curling you’d wish the ground would swallow you whole.

For one tech CEO and his HR chief, a recent Coldplay concert delivered the latter in spectacular, stadium-sized fashion—thanks to the infamous ‘kiss cam’ and a very public game of hide-and-seek.


Picture this: you’re at Gillette Stadium near Boston, the lights are low, Chris Martin is crooning, and the crowd is buzzing.

Suddenly, your face—and the face of your very close colleague—flashes up on the giant screen, the universal sign for 'pucker up!'

But instead of a sweet smooch, the pair in question looked like they’d seen a ghost.


The unlucky stars of this viral moment? Andy Byron, CEO of the billion-dollar AI and data company Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the firm’s recently hired chief human resources officer.

As the camera zoomed in, Cabot quickly turned away and covered her face, while Byron ducked out of sight, muttering what can only be described as a very relatable expletive: 'F***ing hell, it’s me.'

The crowd erupted in laughter, and even Chris Martin couldn’t help but comment, 'Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.'


Of course, the internet did what it does best: sleuthing and speculating. Social media users were quick to connect the dots, with many convinced that the pair’s panicked reaction was a dead giveaway.

'There is no plausible reason why they would act that way unless they were having an affair. Period. Can’t convince me otherwise,' declared one social media user, echoing the thoughts of thousands.

The story didn’t end at the stadium. The video, uploaded by social media user 'Instaagraace,' racked up millions of views and over a million likes in less than a day.

Social media users piled on, with one quipping: 'Cost of a concert: Hotel $200, tickets $600, food/drinks $150, divorce attorney $50,000. Getting exposed by Coldplay having an affair with your co-worker: priceless.' Ouch.

To fuel the fire, eagle-eyed internet detectives noticed that Byron’s wife had dropped her married name from her Facebook profile and left comments open, leading to a flood of reactions before she deleted her account.

As for Astronomer, the company has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the viral drama.

It’s a modern-day cautionary tale: in the age of smartphones and social media, there’s nowhere to hide, especially not at a sold-out concert with tens of thousands of fans (and a few million more online).

For Byron and Cabot, what was meant to be a fun night out turned into a PR nightmare and a trending topic worldwide.

But let’s zoom out for a moment. The ‘kiss cam’ is a beloved tradition at sporting events and concerts, designed to spread a little joy and maybe a few laughs.

However, as this story shows, it can also shine a very bright light on things people would rather keep in the dark.

Whether it’s a secret romance, an awkward friendship, or just two people who really, really don’t want to be on camera, the ‘kiss cam’ has a way of revealing more than just affection.

For those of us watching from the comfort of our homes, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the most entertaining moments aren’t on stage, but in the crowd.

And for anyone thinking of sneaking off to a concert with someone you shouldn’t be with, maybe stick to the nosebleed seats, or at least keep an eye out for the camera!



Due to multiple stories circulating online, CEO Andy Byron has issued the following official statement:


What do you think, members? Is the ‘kiss cam’ all in good fun, or does it sometimes go too far? Have you ever been caught in an awkward moment at a public event? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below.

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