Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has made it clear that the band’s viral “kiss cam” controversy will not spell the end of a beloved concert tradition. Addressing a crowd in Hull, England, Martin confirmed that the band’s Jumbotron segment, which last month inadvertently exposed a corporate affair and led to two high-profile resignations, is here to stay. His comments, delivered with a mix of humor and sincerity, mark the first time the singer has directly spoken on the matter, which he called an “internationally massive scandal.”
The scandal in question unfolded during a July concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, when the Jumbotron camera landed on Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. Their panicked reaction—ducking out of view—led to an improvised quip from Martin: “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The joke went viral, leading internet sleuths to identify the pair, and the public fallout resulted in their resignations.
At the recent tour stop, Martin spoke about the incident as a “debacle” but maintained that the Jumbotron’s purpose is not to embarrass, but to connect with fans. “This is not, never will be, it never was, a kiss cam,” Martin told the crowd, a clear pushback against the headlines that have branded the segment as such. “We pick people out to say hello. And sometimes they turn up to become an internationally massive scandal, sure. But most of the time we’re just trying to say hello to some f***ing people, that’s all!”
His defense of the tradition came as a relief to many fans who worried the band might abandon the segment entirely. Martin, however, was unapologetic. “We’ve been doing it a long time and it is only recently that it became a… yeah,” he said. “Life throws you lemons, and you’ve got to make lemonade. So, we are going to keep doing it because we get to meet some of you.”
The incident has sparked a global conversation about privacy and the consequences of a private mistake playing out on a very public stage. For a couple whose lives were turned upside down by a fleeting moment, the band’s decision to continue the Jumbotron segment may be a painful reminder. Yet for Martin, the show must go on.
In a final moment of reflection, Martin ended his commentary by sending a message to the couple, wishing them well and expressing hope that they are okay. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of how a fleeting moment of public entertainment can have profound and unexpected consequences in the real world.