A data company said Friday that its CEO had been placed on leave and that it is investigating after a "kiss cam" at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts showed two people embracing, who then quickly hid themselves from view.
The video of the incident went viral. Data company Astronomer said Friday night that CEO Andy Byron has been placed on leave.
On Wednesday, as a “kiss cam” displayed couples in attendance at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, a blond woman and a silver-haired man were among those projected on screen. As soon as the pair realized it, the woman covered her face while the man ducked out of the frame.
The awkward moment took the internet by storm, with the video clip gaining millions of views across platforms like X, TikTok and Instagram. Internet sleuths quickly speculated that the couple is tied to Astronomer, a New York-based tech company.
At the concert, Chris Martin, the band’s lead singer, appeared to poke fun at the couple.
“Oh, look at these two. You’re all right,” he said, according to video footage from the concert that circulated online. “You’re OK. Oh, what? Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
In a post on X Friday afternoon, Astronomer addressed the now-viral moment.
“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” the statement reads. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.”
The company’s board of directors has “initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly,” the company said.
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was identified by online users as the man in the video, but NBC News has not independently confirmed that. Nor has NBC News identified the woman.
Byron has yet to comment, the company said on X, adding that any “reports saying otherwise are all incorrect.”
Byron did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.
Friday night, Astronomer announced on X that Byron has been placed on leave, but it did not provide details as to why. It said that company co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy was serving as interim CEO.
"We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days," the company said.
The Philadelphia Phillies made a joke of the situation during Friday's game, simulating the awkward moment with fuzzy green mascot Phillie Phanatic and a friend.
