The digital fallout from the “Coldplay kiss cam” scandal has forced Astronomer, the data and AI platform company, to take drastic measures on its social media channels. In an attempt to stem the relentless tide of public outrage and mockery, the company has reportedly disabled comments on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, effectively muting direct public engagement in the wake of the highly publicized affair involving its former CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot.
The decision to shut down comments underscores the severe reputational damage Astronomer has incurred since the viral video emerged. The footage, captured at a Coldplay concert in Boston, showed Byron and Cabot in an intimate embrace on the Jumbotron, a moment that quickly spiraled into accusations of an affair, Byron’s subsequent resignation, and a reported multi-million dollar divorce filing by his wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron.
Immediately after the scandal broke, Astronomer’s social media platforms, particularly X and LinkedIn, became hotbeds of furious commentary. Users flooded the comments sections with:
- Moral outrage: Condemning the alleged affair and the perceived impropriety of two married senior executives.
- Workplace ethics questions: Raising concerns about the company’s culture, especially given Cabot’s role as Chief People Officer.
- Memes and jokes: A torrent of satirical content, including “Coldplay-themed jabs” and puns, mocking the duo and the company.
- Sympathy for Megan Kerrigan Byron: Many comments expressed solidarity and support for Byron’s estranged wife.
The sheer volume and often scathing nature of these comments created a significant public relations crisis for Astronomer. While the company initially issued statements acknowledging its commitment to values and announcing an internal investigation and Byron’s leave (followed swiftly by his resignation), these responses did little to quell the digital storm.
To manage the overwhelming negative sentiment and prevent its official channels from becoming a constant forum for condemnation, Astronomer appears to have concluded that disabling comments was a necessary, albeit drastic, step. This move follows a similar action taken by Andy Byron himself, who first disabled comments on his LinkedIn posts and subsequently reportedly deactivated or deleted his entire LinkedIn profile. Kristin Cabot also reportedly deactivated her LinkedIn profile.
While silencing direct public comments might offer a temporary reprieve from the immediate onslaught, it also carries its own risks. It can be perceived by the public as a lack of transparency or an attempt to avoid accountability, potentially fueling further criticism in other online spaces.
Astronomer’s interim CEO, Pete DeJoy, has acknowledged the “unusual and surreal” level of media attention the company has received, stating that while he “would never have wished for it to happen like this,” Astronomer is now a “household name.” However, the decision to muzzle public interaction on platforms like X highlights the immense challenge the company faces in rebuilding trust and its brand reputation in the wake of a scandal that has become a global meme. The internet, it seems, always finds a way to have its say, even when official channels go dark.