Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen

Share This

Arts and Entertainment

The company behind Coldplay 'kiss cam' scandal scores a Hollywood connection

A man sings on a stage new balloons
A fan holds up a sign during a kiss cam segment in the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park on July 18 in Philadelphia.
(
Tibrina Hobson
/
Getty Images
)

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today. 

Topline:

Astronomer, the company that went viral after a “kiss cam” at a Coldplay concert captured two of their executives involved in an alleged affair, has released a video to manage the PR fallout. It features actress-turned-wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow as its "very temporary" spokesperson.
A white man and woman sit together at a table smiling.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin at an event in Beverly Hills months before their "conscious uncoupling."
(
Kevin Mazur
/
Getty Images
)

Why Gwyneth Paltrow: Paltrow is famously the ex-spouse of Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin. When the former couple, who share two children, announced their split in 2014 they called it a "conscious uncoupling," which also spurred a pop-culture reaction.

Support for LAist comes from

What’s the backstory: The AI startup's CEO and its head of human resources quickly and aggressively decoupled after they were caught embracing on the “kiss cam." That prompted Martin to remark, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.”

That moment has since spawned a billion memes and think pieces.

What happened to the two employees: According to Astronomer, both employees have since parted ways with the company.

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist