The “ColdplayGate” scandal, which saw Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot caught in a viral “kiss cam” moment, has generated tens of millions of views, countless memes, and endless speculation. Yet, the woman behind the camera, Grace Springer, a 28-year-old Coldplay superfan, has revealed a surprising truth amidst the chaos: she hasn’t made a single cent from the video that propelled her to accidental internet fame.
Speaking on the UK’s “This Morning” program and in subsequent interviews, Springer confirmed that despite her video accumulating nearly 125 million views across various platforms, particularly TikTok, it remains unmonetized. “I’ve actually made no money from the video itself or the views,” Springer stated unequivocally. “It’s not monetized.”
This revelation debunks widespread assumptions that viral content creators automatically cash in on their sudden popularity. While TikTok’s Creator Fund pays eligible creators a small sum per 1,000 views (typically between $0.02 and $0.04), and its newer Creator Rewards Program offers slightly higher rates for engaging content, Springer’s video was an organically posted clip, not part of a branded deal or a monetized account in that context. Her fame, she explains, is purely viral, not financial.
Springer had no idea who Andy Byron or Kristin Cabot were when she filmed the clip at Gillette Stadium on July 16, 2025. She was simply hoping to capture some concert magic, possibly even getting herself on the kiss cam. “I just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it,” she recounted, describing how the couple’s panicked reactions to being spotlighted caught her eye.
Her casual decision to upload the footage quickly spiraled into a global phenomenon, leading to Byron’s resignation from Astronomer, Cabot’s departure, and a high-profile divorce filing by Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron. New allegations, including a purported $40,000 OnlyFans scandal involving Byron, have further inflamed public interest.
Despite the immense impact her video had on the lives of those involved, Springer expressed a degree of detachment and a firm stance on accountability. “A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down,” she admitted, but quickly added her now-famous six-word philosophy: “play stupid games… win stupid prizes.”
She also dismissed the idea that her video was the sole reason for their exposure. “There was over 50,000 people at the concert,” she reasoned. “So if it wasn’t me who uploaded it, I’m sure someone else would have.”
While Springer’s TikTok account has gained a significant following since the incident, translating into potential future earnings through brand collaborations or other monetization strategies, the immediate financial reward from the viral video itself remains at zero.
Grace Springer’s story serves as a stark reminder in the age of digital content: virality doesn’t always equate to profitability, and some of the internet’s biggest moments are captured not by professional influencers seeking a payout, but by ordinary individuals whose casual recordings inadvertently ignite a global firestorm. For Grace, the “ColdplayGate” has brought fame, but for now, no fortune.