Move over “ghosting”, there’s a new verb in the cultural lexicon; Coldplayed. And like many iconic terms before it, this one was born from a perfect storm of music, missteps, and the unforgiving virality of the internet.

COLDPLAYED
/ˈkōldˌplād/ – verb, slang

1. To be unexpectedly exposed while cheating, especially in a public setting or during a major event.

2. To be caught in a compromising situation - wrong place, wrong time, wrong person.

"Bro thought he was safe in a crowd of 80,000. He got Coldplayed hard"

It all started at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts on last Wednesday night. During a break in the set, as the band’s camera crew panned across the crowd, the Jumbotron landed on what looked like a sweet, swaying couple, a man with his arms around a woman. But when they realized they were on the big screen, the vibe shifted instantly: the man ducked out of frame, and the woman quickly turned away.

Lead singer Chris Martin, unaware of the backstory but sensing the awkwardness, offered a quip:

Oh, look at these two… all right, come on, you’re OK! Oh, what? Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.

Turns out, Martin’s joke may have hit closer to the mark than anyone expected.

The video went viral within hours. Internet sleuths did what they do best, cross-referencing facial features with LinkedIn profiles and corporate bios. By Thursday morning, the man was allegedly identified as Andy Byron, CEO of a mid-sized tech firm based in New England called Astronomer. The woman beside him? Reportedly Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer and notably, not his wife.

Screenshots flew. Memes were made. TikTokers narrated the scene like true crime reporters. Reddit threads dug into the company’s Glassdoor reviews. And a new term was coined, almost instantly: Coldplayed.

“You Got Coldplayed”

Social media erupted with users using the term to describe not just the scandal, but any major moment of unexpected public exposure; romantic or otherwise.

Coldplayed: when the universe picks the absolute worst time to call you out

one user wrote on X.

Bro just got Coldplayed in 4K with stadium lighting. There’s no coming back from that.

another chimed in.

British rock band Coldplay has long made a significant impact on global popular culture through their music, artistry, performances, identity, and commercial success. The band’s influence stretches well beyond the stage. shaping not just sound, but sentiment. Read more on Cultural impact of Coldplay’s Wikipedia page.

And for the culture? It’s a reminder that our language evolves with our scandals.

As one tweet put it:

They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Getting Coldplayed might be the coldest.