Astronomer has denied allegations that one of its employees was spotted getting cozy with the company’s CEO, Andy Byron, during a recent Coldplay concert in Massachusetts. Footage from the event showed Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot dodging the kiss cam together, leading speculation about the identity of a red-faced woman standing nearby.
The alleged employee, Alyssa Stoddard, was recently promoted to Astronomer and became the target of online backlash after being misidentified as the mysterious woman. Stoddard had joined the company just months ago and her LinkedIn announcement post celebrating her new role was flooded with harsh comments.
However, Astronomer has stated that Stoddard was not at the event and no other employees were in the video. The company has also emphasized that CEO Andy Byron has not made any public statements about the incident, debunking reports suggesting otherwise.
A formal investigation by the Board of Directors has been launched into the matter, with a focus on addressing the situation internally and holding leadership to values. As a result, Byron has been placed on leave, and cofounder Pete DeJo is serving as interim CEO.
The company’s response comes amidst millions of views on social media platforms, including TikTok, Reddit, and X, where users have shared their reactions to the viral moment. Some are calling for restraint from critics, highlighting the potential consequences of misidentifying employees and subjecting them to unfair harassment.
Source: https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/astronomer-denies-mystery-second-woman-1278242