Will Coldplay cancel 'Kiss Cam' after Astronomer CEO scandal? Here's what Chris Martin said

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has confirmed that the band will not abandon their signature “kiss cam” segment at concerts, even after it sparked a viral controversy involving former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s ex-HR head, Kristin Cabot.

The incident, which unfolded during Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour stop at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts last month, made global headlines. Byron and Cabot were unexpectedly shown on the Jumbotron during the kiss cam segment. Byron wrapped his arm around Cabot, but both quickly tried to hide their faces once they realized the cameras were on them. Their awkward reaction fueled speculation of an affair, which escalated when Martin quipped from the stage: “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

Clips of the moment went viral, drawing millions of views online. The fallout was swift: Astronomer placed both executives on leave, and within a day, Byron resigned as CEO while Cabot also left the company.


Addressing the controversy during Coldplay’s recent tour stop in Hull, England, Martin told the audience that the tradition would continue despite the drama. “We’ve been doing [the Jumbotron] for a long time, and it is only recently that it became a… yeah,” Martin said, hinting at the Massachusetts scandal. “Life throws you lemons, and you’ve got to make lemonade. So, we are going to keep doing it because we get to meet some of you.”

Martin also interacted with fans by reading signs from the crowd. Noticing one supporter who had attended multiple shows, he thanked him for his dedication and joked, “You were at that Boston gig. Well, thank you for coming again after that debacle.”

For Coldplay, the kiss cam remains a lighthearted way to connect with audiences worldwide. Despite one high-profile mishap that crossed over into the corporate world, Martin made it clear that the playful tradition is here to stay as the band continues its blockbuster tour.