A body language expert has spoken out on the viral video of a CEO appearing to embrace a co-worker who isn't his wife at a Coldplay concert.
If you've missed the viral video, then take a peek below:
The outrage comes because the two individuals, Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, are the CEO and CPO of Astronomer, respectively.
... And they're both married to other people.
As the crowd watched and laughed, Chris Martin chimed in with his own commentary, poking fun at the duo: “Oh, look at these two ... Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”
Well, body language expert Judi James has spoken to The Mirror about her take on the situation.
James tore into the duo’s reactions: “They made themselves into human catnip for social media by reacting so violently rather than just trying to style it out.” According to her, their panic only fueled public fascination.
“Any interest was only created when they both went into a very furtive-looking flight mode rather than laughing as though they'd just been indulging in a little playful wrestle.”
Their embarrassment went beyond mere shyness, the expert observed - they appeared stunned, “like they’ve been tasered.”
James described Cabot’s reaction in detail: “Her mouth flies open when she presumably catches sight of herself on the big screen and she performs an instant and very seminal hide gesture by placing both hands over her face in a cut-off ritual. She also turns her back, prompting even more lingering interest.”
While her reaction might have stemmed from innocent shock, James believes “her response could be, as she is still standing and she starts chatting to another woman who is clearly laughing.”
Andy’s initial response was more measured, but no less revealing. James noted: “His reaction is slower. He’s still looking at the screen while she’s hiding, and his hands hang frozen in mid-air.”
Then, instead of mimicking Kristin’s gesture, he physically ducked out of sight.
“He dips his head before appearing to vanish totally, either down some kind of concealed trap door or he's just gone into a crouch to the floor, which would be seen as an extreme response if it were just shyness.”
James argues that his rapid exit suggests they were reacting not out of embarrassment, but dread.
Grace Springer, who filmed the moment, told the US Sun: "I had no idea who the couple was. Just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it."
She admitted feeling conflicted about the fallout. “A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but, play stupid games… win stupid prizes.”
She offered a compassionate take: “I hope their partners can heal from this and get a second chance at the happiness they deserve with their future still in front of them. I hope, for them, my video was a blessing in disguise.”