What began as a light-hearted segment at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts took an unexpected turn this week, leading to a viral internet sensation.
During his customary “Jumbotron Song” at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, where lead singer Chris Martin playfully highlights audience members, the camera landed on a couple.
Initially seen cuddling and smiling, with the man’s arms wrapped around the woman, their demeanour swiftly changed upon realising they were on the big screen.
Her jaw dropped, hands flew to her face, and she spun away, while he quickly ducked out of frame.
Martin, observing the sudden shyness, quipped to the crowd: “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
The brief, awkward encounter quickly spread online, prompting the internet to delve into the mystery behind the couple’s reaction.
Astronomer launches ‘formal investigation’ after married CEO and HR boss caught on ‘kiss cam’
Social media went into meltdown after the footage circulated showing two people – later identified as Andy Byron and his company’s Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot – awkwardly jumping out of each other’s arms as they flashed up on a “kiss cam” during the band’s show in Boston.
Software company Astronomer has launched a formal investigation after they were caught being intimate at a Coldplay concert, engulfing the internet in rumors of an alleged affair between the boss and his underling.
“Astronomer is 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 company said in a statement on LinkedIn.
“The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.
A representative for Coldplay said the band had no comment.
Most concert venues warn attendees that they can be filmed
It’s easy to miss, but most concert venues have signs informing the audience that they could be filmed during the event.
Look for them on the walls when you arrive and around the bar areas or toilets. It’s common practice especially when bands like to use performances for music videos or concert films.
The venue in this case, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, also has a privacy policy online which states: “When you visit our location or attend or participate in an event at our location, we may capture your image, voice and/or likeness, including through the use of CCTV cameras and/or when we film or photograph you in a public location.”
Once captured, a moment can be shared widely
In the internet age, such videos — or ones taken on someone’s smartphone — can quickly zip around the world.
This video rocketed around social media, as people speculated about why the couple dodged the camera.
Empathy for the pair and their families was mixed with plenty of snarky commentary and countless memes, with the fake statement from the chief executive generating a lot of additional vitriol.
And news reports said that the CEO’s LinkedIn account was disabled after it was flooded by a wave of comments.