A recent incident at a Coldplay concert has sparked outrage over the “Kiss cam” phenomenon, which has a history of being awkward and even scandalous. The controversy began when a couple, Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, appeared on the Jumbotron at Gillette stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and instead of embracing, they abruptly pulled apart and one turned her back on the camera. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin joked about their possible reasons for the awkward behavior.
The Kiss cam has its origins in the 1980s with big video boards being installed at stadiums to fill gaps in play during baseball games. While it can elicit delight, such as when former President Jimmy Carter shared a romantic moment with his wife Rosalynn, it has also been the cause of controversy. The camera’s tendency to focus on straight couples and demean or attack same-sex embraces has led to criticism.
There have been several instances where kiss cam footage has been deemed scandalous. In 2010, the Kiss cam at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis showed a kiss between two men wearing Arizona Cardinals jerseys, sparking homophobic jibes. The New York Mets changed their policy in 2015 after being criticized for promoting homophobia.
More often than not, kiss cam footage is awkward rather than scandalous. In 2012, former President Barack Obama’s initial failure to respond to the Kiss cam while attending a basketball game with his wife Michelle was met with boos from the crowd. However, when reporters were brought back in, Obama eventually shared a kiss with his wife.
Some celebrity couples prefer to avoid the Kiss cam altogether. Prince William expressed his distaste for the phenomenon during the Olympics in 2012, stating that it would be “very embarrassing” if they appeared on camera.
The recent incident has sparked numerous responses, including fake statements and memes. The Philadelphia Phillies even screened a video of their fuzzy green mascot Phillie Phanatic in an embrace with a fuzzy green companion on their Jumbotron. People can also buy commemorative merchandise featuring the slogan “I TOOK MY SIDEPIECE TO THE COLDPLAY CONCERT AND IT RUINED MY LIFE.”
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/19/nx-s1-5473450/kiss-cams-awkward-history-coldplay-astronomer-andy-byron-kristin-cabot