“Fix You”? Not Quite.
The viral apology at the center of Coldplay’s kiss-cam scandal is 100 percent fake—and the real story is even juicier.
Fast Answer
No, CEO Andy Byron never wrote that flowery apology quoting Coldplay’s “Fix You.” Astronomer, the tech firm he runs, confirmed to multiple outlets—including TMZ—that the circulating screenshot is a fabrication.
But how did a single hug on a jumbotron balloon into a worldwide guessing game about affairs, divorces, and faked statements? Buckle up.
1. A Kiss-Cam, a Hug, and a Front-Man’s Mic Drop
Wednesday night, 16 July, Gillette Stadium in Boston. Coldplay is midway through its set when the kiss-cam lands on two people in the premium seats:
- Andy Byron – CEO of data-startup Astronomer
- Kristin Cabot – Astronomer’s head of HR
They hug, see themselves on the giant screens, and recoil like deer in stadium-lights. Chris Martin can’t resist:
“Either they’re having an affair, or they’re very shy,” he jokes, sending 60,000 phones skyward.
Within hours, TikTok and X are flooded with the clip.
ew.com report | sfchronicle.com
2. Internet Sleuths Do Their Thing
Armchair detectives traced LinkedIn pages and wedding registries:
- Byron’s marriage to educator Megan Kerrigan Byron is well-documented.
- Cabot? Headlines screamed “also married,” but court records show she divorced Kenneth C. Thornby in 2022. Several outlets have since walked back the “still married” claim.
Why the confusion? A cached alumni bio still listed Thornby as her husband. Google never forgets; gossip rarely double-checks.
3. The Phantom Apology
Late Thursday the scandal hit a new gear: an “official statement” appeared online, allegedly from Byron, complete with company letterhead and this tear-jerking closer:
“Lights will guide you home, and I will try to fix you.”
—Andy
Share-counts exploded. Some news sites ran it as fact. One problem—the author never existed.
Astronomer’s communications director Taylor Jones told TMZ, India Today, and others:
“It’s not a real statement. Andy issued nothing.”
Links:
tmz.com | whiskeyriff.com fact-check
4. What We Know vs. What We Don’t
Verified Facts
- Byron and Cabot were filmed hugging at the 16 July Coldplay show.
- Chris Martin made the “affair” quip.
- Byron is married; Cabot was previously married but appears divorced.
- No legitimate statement or apology has been released.
- Astronomer confirmed the viral document is fake.
Unanswered Questions
- Are Byron and Cabot actually in a romantic relationship?
- Will either executive break their silence?
- Could company policies about fraternization come into play?
- Who forged the apology, and why the song lyric?
5. Why Do Fake Statements Spread Faster Than The Truth?
Think of the internet as a crowded bar during last call:
- A believable logo + a contrite tone = instant credibility.
- Outrage and schadenfreude travel further than press releases.
- Traditional outlets now chase social-media trends; some published first, corrected later.
By the time fact-checkers stepped in, the “Fix You” letter had already circled the globe.
6. The Fallout to Watch
- Astronomer’s Board: Investors are whispering about HR investigations.
- Coldplay’s Tour: Merch stands now joke-sell “Kiss-Cam Vetting” T-shirts (unofficial, of course).
- Public Curiosity: Google searches for “astronomer data platform” tripled—proof scandal sells better than marketing.
7. Bottom Line
The apology is fake, the hug is real, and the story isn’t over. Until Byron or Cabot speak, we’re left with a stadium clip, a forged PDF, and a reminder that in 2025, truth sometimes needs its own PR team.
Stay tuned—and double-check those screenshots before you share them.