Crisis management expert Molly McPherson, known for her insights into celebrity PR scandals, accurately predicted the resignation of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron following a viral incident at a Coldplay concert. The incident, captured on a Jumbotron, showed Byron and the company’s HR head in an awkward embrace during a kiss cam. Coldplay’s Chris Martin humorously called out the moment, suggesting a possible affair or shyness, sparking widespread online attention. McPherson, who has built a large following on TikTok by analyzing similar PR nightmares, emphasized that the company’s delayed response exacerbated the situation. She criticized Astronomer for releasing a vague statement days after the incident, arguing it failed to address the core issue effectively. ‘Even though Chris Martin exposed the CEO and the chief people officer, it was still a private matter. I would not have released a statement,’ McPherson stated in a TikTok video. The incident’s virality was further amplified by a fake apology statement circulating online, which claimed to be issued by Byron and ended with lyrics from Coldplay’s ‘Fix You.’ Astronomer later confirmed the statement was a hoax, but the damage was already done. McPherson noted the timing of the incident, which occurred during the peak of meme culture, making it more likely to go viral. ‘You cannot control the public, and you cannot control memes—this was good,’ she said. Despite the chaos, McPherson believed the company would ultimately come out unscathed, with Byron’s resignation being a necessary outcome. The CEO formally tendered his resignation the day after McPherson shared her analysis, with the board of directors accepting the move.