Astronomer has recruited Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow as a “very temporary” spokesperson in an online video released on 25 July, seeking to steady its image after a workplace-affair drama thrust the little-known data-software firm into global headlines. In the one-minute clip, Paltrow—who was married to Coldplay singer Chris Martin for 13 years—plays up the surge of attention, fielding light-hearted questions before pivoting to promote Astronomer’s Apache Airflow-based products. The publicity crisis began on 16 July when a “kiss-cam” at Coldplay’s show in Foxborough, Massachusetts, lingered on Astronomer chief executive Andy Byron embracing human-resources head Kristin Cabot. Both, who are married to other people, recoiled from the stadium screen, prompting Martin to quip that they were “either having an affair or just very shy.” Video of the moment went viral, drawing scrutiny to the Cincinnati-founded start-up. Astronomer’s board accepted Byron’s resignation on 19 July and placed Cabot on leave; media reports later said she also exited the company. Co-founder Pete DeJoy was installed as interim CEO and told employees the firm would “return to doing what we do best” despite the unexpected spotlight. Paltrow’s cameo has added a new twist. Biographer Amy Odell, citing the actress’s previous commercial appearances, estimated her compensation for the Astronomer spot was likely in the multimillion-dollar range, though neither the company nor Paltrow has disclosed terms. Coldplay resumed touring on 21 July in Madison, Wisconsin, where Martin jokingly warned concertgoers that cameras would again scan the crowd—this time without featuring couples. The incident continues to fuel debate over privacy, corporate governance and real-time viral exposure.