In the wake of the viral “Coldplay kiss cam” scandal that thrust Astronomer into an unwelcome global spotlight, the company’s newly appointed interim CEO, Pete DeJoy, has finally spoken out. In a candid statement issued via LinkedIn, DeJoy acknowledged the “unusual and surreal” media attention, admitting he “would never have wished for it to happen like this,” but also asserting that the company’s core mission and resilience remain strong.
The scandal erupted when a video of former CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot in an intimate embrace on a concert Jumbotron went viral, leading to Byron’s swift resignation and a cascade of public scrutiny on Astronomer’s leadership and workplace culture. As the company grapples with the fallout, all eyes have turned to DeJoy, a co-founder and former Chief Product Officer, to steer the ship through turbulent waters.
“Over the weekend, I stepped into the role of Interim CEO at Astronomer, a company that I’ve proudly poured my entire professional life into helping build,” DeJoy’s statement began. He immediately addressed the elephant in the room: “The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies—let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world—ever encounter. The spotlight has been unusual and surreal for our team and, while I would never have wished for it to happen like this, Astronomer is now a household name.”
DeJoy’s remarks offer a nuanced perspective on the crisis. While acknowledging the unwanted notoriety, he strategically frames it as an unexpected opportunity for brand recognition, even if gained under “surreal” circumstances. This pragmatic approach aims to pivot public perception from scandal to the company’s underlying strength and purpose.
He emphasized Astronomer’s resilience, drawing parallels to past challenges the company has successfully navigated. “At Astronomer, we have never shied away from challenges; a near-decade of building this business has tested us time and time again, and each time we’ve emerged stronger,” he wrote. “From starting a software company in Cincinnati, Ohio, to keeping the lights on through the collapse of the bank that held all our cash, to scaling from 30 to 300 people during a global pandemic that demanded we do it all without ever being in the same room.”
DeJoy’s statement also focused heavily on continuity and commitment. “I’m stepping into this role with a wholehearted commitment to taking care of our people and delivering for our customers,” he affirmed. “Astronomer’s foundation remains strong, built around the thriving Apache Airflow community. Our opportunity to build a DataOps platform for the age of AI remains massive. And our story is very much still being written.”
Notably, while DeJoy’s statement addresses the overall “scandal” and the circumstances of Byron’s departure, it does not explicitly mention Kristin Cabot by name. Cabot, who was also placed on leave pending an internal investigation, remains listed on Astronomer’s leadership page, a point of contention for many online observers demanding equal accountability. This strategic omission suggests the company’s internal investigation into her role is either ongoing, or her employment status is being handled through confidential legal channels.
Astronomer’s X (formerly Twitter) account has, in the interim, reportedly disabled comments, a move that indicates the company’s struggle to control the narrative amidst the deluge of public backlash. DeJoy’s LinkedIn post, however, represents a more direct and personal attempt to reassure stakeholders and chart a path forward.
As Astronomer navigates this unprecedented period, DeJoy’s leadership will be crucial in restoring trust among employees, customers, and investors. His first public statement signals a strategic shift towards focusing on the company’s robust technology and mission, hoping to move beyond the “ColdplayGate” and redefine Astronomer’s public image on its own terms.