>Gwyneth Paltrow totally roasted Astronomer’s employees in this corporate video posted on their social media accounts. This announcement comes in the wake of a highly publicized racist incident involving the company’s former CEO and Chief People Officer. In response, radical shifts in leadership have occurred.
Gwyneth Paltrow speaks during the Forbes Power Women Summit on September 11, 2024 in New York City. In her testimony, she shared that it was her provisional role to craft such a message on behalf of Astronomer’s more than 300 team members. During her deposition video, Paltrow appeared to be sitting comfortably at the defendant’s desk. She framed her somewhat corporate tone messaging as an effort to provide stability in a chaotic time for the still-defiant company.
What is most noticeable about Paltrow’s video is the timing. She shared it almost two weeks after a confusing episode at a Coldplay show in Boston on July 16. Captured on that same jumbotron during performance was footage of ex-CEO Andy Byron and ex-Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot. Well, that clip went viral for us in a hurry! Following the incident, Byron was placed on administrative leave during the investigation. He had just recently left his post at Astronomer. Cabot’s departure was confirmed shortly thereafter.
In her video address, Paltrow thanked workers for their interest in Astronomer and admitted that fears were raised among employees. She stated, “I’ve been hired on a very temporary basis to speak on behalf of the 300-plus employees at Astronomer. We’ve had a lot of questions over the last few days.”
Astronomers have verified exits by each Byron and Cabot. This unanimous decision is the latest step in their redemption arc in response to the viral cop-busting incident. Paltrow’s involvement does mean that their case has gained important publicity. This is particularly the case due to her high-profile former marriage to Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay.
Her appearance in the video only speaks to her establishment as a public figure and savvy businesswoman. She’s probably best known, though, for creating the lifestyle empire Goop. Enlisting Paltrow for this job shakes out as a savvy bit of business by Astronomer. What it chiefly seeks, as it endures this bruising ordeal, is to manage its reputation.