Astronomer has responded following the viral footage of CEO Andy Byron and the head of HR, Kristin Cabot, stating that another woman in the video has been misidentified.
You've probably seen the video by now, but if you haven't, let me get you up to speed.
Coldplay were performing at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on Wednesday, where they put happy couples on a kisscam.
Things were going well until the camera settled on Andy and Kristin, who appeared to be mortified that they'd been spotted appearing to embrace each other.
Andy quickly ducked out of frame while Kristin turned around to hide her face from the camera.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said at the time: "Oh, look at these two … All right, c’mon, you’re okay. … Oh, what? Either they're having an affair or they're very shy."
In the video, there is also a third woman standing to the side of the couple who looks equally as embarrassed, and people online believed that they'd worked out her identity.
Internet sleuths believed it to be Alyssa Stoddard, one of Cabot’s direct reports, who recently joined Astronomer.
However, per News.com.au, an Astronomer spokesperson dismissed the accusation: "Stoddard wasn’t at the concert, reaffirming that no other employees were featured with the pair on the jumbotron."
In the wake of mounting online scrutiny, Astronomer took swift corporate action. CEO Andy Byron has been placed on leave, and co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is stepping in as interim CEO.
The company also released a LinkedIn statement: “We are committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding.
"Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability. The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”
The company also noted that neither Andy nor Kristin has publicly commented on the incident.
Grace Springer who originally shared the footage, quickly amassed millions of views.
She later 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.”
While she confessed feeling remorse, she also noted: “A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but, play stupid games… win stupid prizes. I hope their partners can heal … I hope, for them, my video was a blessing in disguise.”
Byron, who became CEO in July 2023, recently praised Cabot, who joined in November 2023, as a “proven leader” with “exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management, employee engagement, and scaling people strategies.”
Cabot herself expressed excitement on LinkedIn, speaking of being “energised in my conversations with Andy and the Astronomer leadership team.”