Astronomer CEO Andy Byron has been placed on leave following a viral incident involving a couple photographed together at a Coldplay concert, which led to lead singer Chris Martin joking about their potential ‘affair’

Lilit

The internet business that began an inquiry after a couple went viral this week for their response to being photographed at a Coldplay performance, prompting lead singer Chris Martin to quip that they could be having an “affair,” has placed CEO Andy Byron on leave.

“Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO, given Andy Byron has been placed on leave,” a spokeswoman for Astronomer told PEOPLE on Friday, July 18. “In the coming days, we will provide further details as necessary.”

Martin called out the pair, unrecognized in the original video, during the Coldplay concert, igniting social media outrage.

The guy and lady were emphasized on the so-called kiss cam at the band’s concert earlier this week at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, as he put his arms around her.

In one famous TikTok video, the woman covers her face as the male flees out of sight after discovering they were being recorded.

“Oh, look at these two,” Martin, 48, tells the audience as the pair hides. “All right, c’mon, you’re okay.”

Martin responds, “Oh, what? Either they’re having an affair, or they’re really bashful.”

The video rapidly went viral, with numerous internet accounts claiming to identify the pair and reveal information about what was really going on.

Later at the event, Martin appeared to address the potential consequences of the kiss-cam incident, according to The Guardian.

The newspaper reported that the singer uttered the words “Holy s—” to the audience. “I hope we didn’t do something bad.”

Astronomer stated on LinkedIn on Friday, July 18, that it is “committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding.” Our leaders are required to set the example for conduct and responsibility.”

“The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter, and we will have additional details to share very shortly,” a business spokesperson said.

The tech business, which did not expressly identify the identity of anybody in the video at the time, stated that Byron had not issued a statement and that rumors of “other employees” attending the gathering and appearing in the video were wrong.

PEOPLE previously contacted an astronomer spokesman, who did not reply to follow-up inquiries.

Byron has not replied to PEOPLE’s separate requests for comment. The woman could not be contacted.

Post Views: 478