Coldplay’s frontman finally addressed the viral scandal that led to two executives’ resignations, but assured fans the show tradition is here to stay, calling it a way to “say hello to some people.”
August 21, 2025: Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has finally set the record straight on the band’s viral “Jumbotron Song,” clarifying that the audience-focused segment is, and never has been, a “kiss cam.” The statement comes months after a high-profile scandal saw a couple’s on-screen appearance spiral into an international incident.
At a recent show in Hull, England, Martin addressed the matter directly. “This is not, never will be, it never was, a kiss cam… It’s not a kiss cam,” he said to the roaring crowd. “We’ve put one couple and then your brand in a kiss cam for the rest of your life.”
The controversy began earlier this year when the jumbotron camera landed on former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, during a show at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. The pair, who are reportedly married to other people, were seen in a compromising position before abruptly ducking for cover. The video of the moment, which was widely shared on TikTok and Reddit, ultimately led to their resignations.
Martin, who had playfully quipped at the time, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” now admits the fallout was unintended. However, he also took a moment to offer his well wishes to the couple, stating, “We send pure love to those people and I wish them so well.”
For fans of the band, the “Jumbotron Song” is a signature moment where Martin improvises lyrics about the audience members on screen. This is a key distinction from a “kiss cam,” a feature common at sporting events that encourages two people to kiss for the camera. Despite the recent “debacle,” Martin reassured his fans that the band will not be dropping the tradition.
He humorously told the audience, “If you’re not prepared to be on international news, please duck,” before reaffirming the segment’s true purpose: “Most of the time we’re just trying to say hello to some f***ing people. That’s all.”