Coldplay Won’t Ditch The “Kiss Cam” After Cheating Scandal

Chris Martin isn’t retreating from Coldplay’s tradition of spotlighting fans on the jumbotron—even after one recent moment upended careers and ignited a viral scandal.

During the band’s Music of the Spheres stop in England, Martin acknowledged the controversy but leaned into humor. “We’ve been doing [the jumbotron] for years,” he told the crowd. “Life throws you lemons, and you’ve got to make lemonade. We’re going to keep doing it because we want to meet some of you.”

His comments followed an incident on July 16 that rippled far beyond the arena. Astronomer CEO Andy Byron appeared on Coldplay’s kiss cam with his arm around Kristin Cabot, the company’s chief people officer. The moment unfolded during Martin’s improvised “Jumbotron Song,” a staple where he riffs on scenes from the crowd. Cabot shielded her face as Byron ducked from view, prompting Martin to joke, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

That playful remark took on new weight once clips flooded social media. Fans dissected the exchange, sparking speculation of infidelity that soon reached Astronomer’s boardroom. The software company announced an investigation, stressing its leaders were bound by “the highest standards of conduct and accountability.”

Within days, Byron resigned. Cabot followed a week later, her exit underscoring how a split-second caught on camera could unravel professional lives. What began as an unscripted concert gag had become a cautionary tale about the power of viral exposure in the digital age.

Coldplay, though, didn’t shy away from the spotlight. Martin later referenced the scandal during another show, giving the audience a playful warning before turning the cameras toward the stands.

“We’d like to say hello to some of you,” he said in a clip posted to X. “We’re going to use our cameras and put some of you on the big screen. So, if you haven’t done your makeup, do it now.”

The crowd roared, embracing the risk of sudden fame. For Martin, the jumbotron remains a symbol of connection—a chance to dissolve barriers between stage and audience.

Even with the potential for awkwardness or controversy, Coldplay appears determined to keep the tradition alive, letting unpredictability fuel the spectacle.