Coldplay frontman Chris Martin set off a social media firestorm at Gillette Stadium this week after a lighthearted “kiss cam” moment turned into an unexpected viral controversy.

Midway through the band’s Music of the Spheres World Tour stop in Boston, the camera zoomed in on a couple in the crowd. Instead of leaning into the moment, the pair looked visibly horrified—immediately ducking their heads and shielding their faces. Martin, watching from the stage, couldn’t resist poking fun at the reaction.

“Oh what... either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy,” he joked into the mic, prompting laughter from the audience.

But what started as a throwaway line quickly spiraled online. Within hours, the video clip was being reshared across platforms, with many users zeroing in on the couple’s awkward body language. Social media sleuths quickly identified the man as allegedly being Andy Byron, CEO of software firm Astronomer, and the woman beside him as Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer.

You can watch the now-viral moment here on X.

As the video picked up steam—garnering millions of views—speculation exploded. Users began alleging that the two were engaged in an extramarital affair. While there has been no confirmation or statement from either Byron or Cabot, the backlash has been swift, with many commenters rallying behind Byron’s wife and calling out the uncomfortable optics of the public display.

Meanwhile, Chris Martin’s off-the-cuff comment has drawn mixed reactions—some fans praised his sense of humour, while others questioned whether the quip inadvertently exposed a private situation.

Despite the unexpected drama, the Coldplay show itself went on without a hitch. The Boston stop drew tens of thousands of fans, featuring a full setlist of hits, immersive visuals, and interactive crowd moments—just not ones that usually trigger a trending scandal.

No official comments have been issued by Coldplay, Byron, Cabot, or Astronomer as of Thursday morning.