A case of mistaken identity has turned into unexpected internet fame for Andy Byron—a video designer, not the CEO of Astronomer—after a viral video from a Coldplay concert caused confusion online.
The incident stems from a now-infamous clip filmed at Coldplay’s July 16 show in Boston, where Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was caught on the venue’s “kissing cam” sharing an intimate moment with the company’s HR chief, Kristin Cabot. As the camera lingered, the two appeared uncomfortable, turning their faces away just before frontman Chris Martin made a cheeky comment:
“Oh look at these two… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”
That moment, though light-hearted in tone, ignited a storm of speculation across social media—and led to one very confused video designer becoming collateral damage.
As the scandal picked up steam, internet sleuths inadvertently swarmed the LinkedIn profile of another Andy Byron—this one a video designer at Stylo Motion Design. In response, the other Byron posted a tongue-in-cheek message to clarify:
“No, this isn’t me. I wouldn’t be caught dead at a Coldplay concert.”
He also updated his LinkedIn bio to now read: “NOT THE GUY FROM THE COLDPLAY GIG!!”
Leaning into the chaos with humor, Byron added:
“I’m the Andy Byron who makes videos for big screens, not the one who gets caught on them. If you want to make video content that goes viral for the right reasons, let’s connect.”
He ended the post with a laughing emoji, earning him thousands of likes and a wave of sympathy from amused users relieved to learn he wasn’t the subject of the scandal.
Meanwhile, the actual Andy Byron—the CEO of Astronomer, a Cincinnati-based data orchestration startup—is facing intense scrutiny after the viral clip. In a letter shared online, the executive acknowledged the incident and issued a public apology:
“I want to acknowledge the moment that’s been circulating online, and the disappointment it’s caused. What was supposed to be a night of music and joy turned into a deeply personal mistake playing out on a very public stage.”
Byron went on to express remorse to his wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, their children, and his company’s employees:
“You deserve better from me as a partner, as a father, and as a leader… This is not who I want to be or how I want to represent the company I helped build. I’m taking time to reflect, take accountability, and figure out the next steps.”
According to reports, Megan Byron—an educator at the Bancroft School in Massachusetts—has since removed her married name from her social media profiles.
As for the video designer Andy Byron, he seems to be making the most of his viral moment. While he’s not the man in the scandal, he’s definitely the one winning hearts online—for all the right reasons.
