The awkward Coldplay moment that went viral and reached running

Nowadays, any situation can become a global trend thanks to virality. And that's what happened at one of Coldplay 's concerts, where a seemingly romantic scene ended up unleashing a personal and professional storm.

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During the British band's performance at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, cameras focused on a couple embracing. Upon realizing they were on the giant screen, they quickly broke away and hid their faces. Chris Martin, the band's vocalist, joked with the audience that maybe they were just too shy... or that they were having an affair. It turned out to be the latter. The couple in question was Andy Byron, CEO of the tech company Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company's director of human resources. The problem: they are both married, but not to each other. What began as a fun moment for the audience and perfect meme material, ended with serious work consequences. Byron resigned as CEO, and although it hasn't been officially confirmed, there is speculation that Cabot may have also requested leave. The company, valued at over a billion dollars, had to manage an unexpected reputational crisis that sparked a debate: should private lives have repercussions in the workplace?

As if that weren't enough, the episode even inspired art. Renowned Strava artist Lenny Maughan mapped out last Sunday's run using GPS to draw , no less, the silhouette of "the lovers," a clear allusion to the viral couple.

PORTFOLIO WRITING