We've all seen it by now: the viral video of a man and woman looking loved up at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts – and who then instantly appear horrified after realising they're being displayed on the big screen for all to see. Quickly jumping apart from one another and trying to cover their faces, lead singer Chris Martin then quips, "Either they’re having an affair or they're just really shy."
Sadly, it turns out that it's more likely the former, as the man and woman in question are Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer (a firm dealing with AI, analytics and software), and Kristin Cabot, the company's chief people officer – and Byron is married to someone else. Something that the internet's outrage seems to very much be glossing over; it must be incredibly painful for Byron's spouse to see this all play out so publicly and to see her life become a social media hot topic.
Now adding to the saga, an 'apology' from Byron has seemingly gone viral online, however it's actually believed to have stemmed from a parody account online and is wholly unverified.
The fake statement reads: "I want to acknowledge the moment that's been circulating online, and the disappointment it's caused. What was supposed to be a night of music and joy turned into a deeply personal mistake play-out out on a very public stage. I want to sincerely apologize to my wife, my family, and my team at Astronomer. You deserve better from me as a partner, as a father, and as a leader.
"This is not who I want to be or how I want to represent the company I helped build. I'm taking time to reflect, take accountability, and figure out the next steps, personally and professionally. I ask for privacy as I navigate that process.
"I also want to express how troubling it is that what should have been a private moment became public without my consent. I respect artists and entertainers, but I hope we can all think more deeply about the impact of turning someone else's life into a spectacle."
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It rounded off with Coldplay lyrics (which should have perhaps been the giveaway that it wasn't a legit apology): "As a friend once sang: 'Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you'."
In a further twist, a member of staff at Astronomer has since confirmed directly to Cosmopolitan UK that "the statement circulating is fake."
An alleged post in which Byron praises Cabot's talent as a HR specialist has reportedly also since been deleted from LinkedIn.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
