In an unprecedented shock move at Astronomy – the world’s leading space technology company – both the CEO and HR Director abruptly resigned after a video of them kissing passionately backstage at a Coldplay concert went viral on social media. However, what shocked the public even more was the appointment of famous actress Gwyneth Paltrow as the company’s interim spokesperson shortly after, and her first statement sparked a wave of backlash.

Gwyneth, with her usual calm demeanor, spoke at an emergency press conference she chaired: “It’s not their fault that they fell in love. The feelings between two people cannot be controlled like numbers or data. If they find love in this world, then perhaps we should bless them instead of punishing them.”

The statement immediately sparked debate on forums from Reddit to Twitter, with many heavily criticizing her for “romanticizing a violation of professional ethics” and possibly even violating company rules. An anonymous account claiming to be an Astronomy employee wrote: “We have lost faith in the leadership. This is no longer a love story, this is an abuse of power and a breach of collective trust.”

The scandal is said to have occurred after a business trip that included a music sponsorship between Astronomy and the band Coldplay. CEO Andy Byron and HR Director Kristin Cabot were caught in an intimate situation in the backstage area, despite both having high-ranking positions and having spoken out strongly about “professional working environments”.

Public opinion not only reacted to the behavior of the two leaders but also paid special attention to how Gwyneth handled the crisis. Some say she has no experience in business management and is “exacerbating the problem with empty love philosophies”. Meanwhile, her supporters see her statement as a breath of humanity in a world that is cold and harsh to emotions.

Many people have asked: why was an actress like Gwyneth Paltrow chosen to be the spokesperson for a space technology company? There are rumors that she has been a close friend of CEO Andy Byron for many years, and has even co-invested in some private space projects. This information makes the public even more skeptical about the transparency of the appointment decision.

Media analysts say that Astronomy is facing a serious reputation crisis. Choosing a famous face in the showbiz world instead of a professional PR expert is considered an “emotional move”, which can easily backfire in the long term. Meanwhile, investors are starting to worry, with the company’s stock falling nearly 12% in just one day after the video was leaked.

It’s unclear how long Gwyneth Paltrow will stay in the role. But with discontent among her staff and public pressure mounting, her next moves will surely be scrutinized. Whether defending her love or condemning her work ethic, the incident has thrown Astronomy into a public storm from which it may take a long time to recover.