In a stunning and swift move, U.S. tech company Astronomer—now rebranded as LumaCore—has officially fired CEO Andy Byron after a Coldplay concert kiss cam moment threw the company into global controversy. The decision comes just days after a viral video showed Byron embracing Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot during the band’s Boston performance, with both appearing visibly uncomfortable once they noticed themselves projected on the big screen.
The video, originally shared by TikTok user @Instaagrace, amassed over 74 million views, igniting an internet firestorm. Social media sleuths quickly identified Byron and Cabot, both married to other people, and the scandal took on a life of its own—prompting widespread speculation, memes, and even fake apology statements falsely attributed to Byron.
LumaCore, which develops workflow management software, initially attempted to contain the fallout by placing Byron on leave and launching a formal investigation. But as pressure mounted from both the public and within the tech world, the board took decisive action. In a late-night statement, the company said:
“Effective immediately, Andy Byron is no longer with the company. Our name going forward will be LumaCore. We can’t undo what happened, but we won’t let his actions define who we are.”
The name change signals a major shift in corporate identity—an attempt to dissociate from the controversy and rebuild trust with clients and investors. Pete DeJoy, the company’s co-founder and chief product officer, has been appointed interim CEO.
Kristin Cabot’s status within the company remains unclear, though her profile was still live on the official leadership page as of Saturday. Insider reports suggest internal discussions are ongoing regarding her role.
The scandal also unearthed broader allegations. Alyssa Stoddard, another employee, came forward claiming Byron had promised her a promotion in exchange for personal favors—allegations that have since sparked calls for a deeper HR audit and culture review within the organization.
As the dust settles, LumaCore now faces the monumental task of salvaging its image. With a viral scandal, a top-level firing, a rebrand, and potential lawsuits looming, the company finds itself at a crossroads—one it never anticipated, but now must navigate with transparency and grit.
