When Did Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin Split? Astronomer Taps Coldplay Singer's Ex as 'Spokesperson'

Gwyneth Paltrow, the Oscar-winning actress and former wife of Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, has been unexpectedly tapped by data operations technology firm Astronomer as a 'temporary spokesperson'. The appointment follows a viral scandal involving the company's now-former CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot, which has placed the startup at the centre of tech and gossip headlines alike.

CEO and HR Head Resign Following Coldplay Concert Scandal

The leadership shake-up at Astronomer began after a now-viral video showed former CEO Andy Byron intimately cuddling with the company's HR chief, Kristin Cabot, during a Coldplay concert. The clip quickly circulated across social media, triggering a wave of backlash and raising questions about workplace ethics and power dynamics at the tech firm.

Byron's resignation was formally announced following an internal review, with Astronomer confirming his departure in response to what it described as behaviour inconsistent with company values. Just days later, Kristin Cabot also stepped down, amid mounting pressure and scrutiny from both within the organisation and the public.

Astronomer did not confirm the personal identities involved but announced that both executives were no longer with the company and reiterated its commitment to maintaining professional integrity and trust.

'Thank You For Your Interest': Gwyneth's Role Explained

In a one-minute video shared across the company's social media channels, Paltrow humorously introduced herself as a 'temporary spokesperson'. Tongue-in-cheek, she referenced the flood of internet curiosity following the scandal, saying the company was 'thrilled' by the sudden interest in their data orchestration services.

'Yes, Astronomer is the best place to run Apache Airflow, unifying the experience of running data, ML, and AI pipelines at scale. We've been thrilled so many people have a newfound interest in data workflow automation,' she said, wryly alluding to the viral nature of the controversy.

She concluded by promoting Astronomer's upcoming 'Beyond Analytics' conference in September, which will feature thought leaders discussing how orchestration empowers advanced tech like AI and machine learning.

'We will now be returning to what we do best—delivering game-changing results for our customers. Thank you for your interest in Astronomer,' she signed off.

Revisiting Gwyneth and Chris Martin's Relationship

Gwyneth Paltrow met Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in 2002 at one of the band's concerts. The couple secretly married in 2003 during a private ceremony at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and went on to have two children: Apple Blythe Alison (born May 2004) and Moses Bruce Anthony (born April 2006).

By 2013, rumours of marital unrest began circulating. In an interview with Self, Paltrow alluded to the struggles of marriage, calling it 'hard work' and praising open, difficult conversations as a route to personal growth.

In March 2014, the couple announced their split in a now-famous blog post on Gwyneth's wellness platform Goop, using the term 'conscious uncoupling' to describe their decision.

'It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate,' the couple wrote. 'We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways we are closer than we have ever been.'

Divorce Finalised and Co-Parenting Today

Gwyneth formally filed for divorce in 2015, citing 'irreconcilable differences'. The divorce was finalised the following year, with both parties agreeing on joint custody and amicable settlement terms.

Reflecting on their separation in British Vogue, Paltrow shared, 'We just didn't quite fit together. But man, did we love our children. Between the day that I knew and the day we finally relented to the truth, we tried everything.'

Now remarried to producer Brad Falchuk, Gwyneth maintains a collaborative co-parenting relationship with Martin. She told People, 'It continues to evolve. It feels much better when everybody can be together and people can let go of the more difficult, painful parts... and focus on the things that led to the marriage in the first place.'

A PR Gamble That Paid Off?

Astronomer's decision to enlist Paltrow in the wake of a public relations storm is being seen by some as a witty, if unconventional, move. With many praising the company for its humour and transparency, others argue it underscores the enduring cultural relevance of both Paltrow and Coldplay—even a decade after the couple's split.