At Coldplay’s Gillette Stadium show on July 16, 2025, a routine kiss cam turned into a career‑ending spectacle. Andy Byron, the former CEO of Astronomer, was caught on the giant screen in a startling embrace with HR chief Kristin Cabot.
Andy Byron, who is married with two kids, looked stunned when the camera zoomed in, his mouth forming a sharp curse as Kristin Cabot covered her face. The stadium crowd roared. Chris Martin joked about them possibly having an affair, and that quip spread fast online.
Stake / Instagram / “Either they’re very shy or they’re having an affair,” Chris Martin joked, catching the Astronomer executives ‘cuddling.’
The video posted by attendee Grace Springer, @instaagrace, exploded to over 125 million views on TikTok. The attention was overwhelming, she later said.
@instaagraace trouble in paradise?? 👀 #coldplay #boston #coldplayconcert #kisscam #fyp ♬ original sound - grace
Astronomer’s board acted quickly, placing both Byron and Cabot on leave by July 18. They cited breaches of conduct standards. Employees reported shock at the abrupt leadership shakeup, with internal emails reminding staff about the company’s ethical policies.
Just days later, Andy Byron stepped down as CEO. His resignation statement was brief and formal. Industry watchers said the speed of his exit signaled that Astronomer wanted to cut ties before more damage spread to the brand.
Kristin Cabot, married to Privateer Rum CEO Andrew Cabot, faced an avalanche of scrutiny. Legal analysts speculated she might bring forward a workplace harassment claim, though no filing has been reported.
Megan Byron, Andy’s wife, stripped “Byron” from her social profiles. Neighbors near her Maine mansion noted she kept to herself and avoided the press. Online communities praised her calm response, though many shared anger at Andy’s actions.
However, legal experts discussed whether kiss cams violate privacy. Many highlighted that ticket terms waive most privacy expectations. The discussion spilled into talk shows and podcasts, sparking new calls for transparency around public filming at events.
Soon after the incident, fabricated apology notes appeared online. Some were written as if from Coldplay, others from Byron himself. Fact‑checkers debunked them, but they spread briefly, adding confusion for anyone following the story.
US Weekly / Instagram / Astronomer appointed Pete DeJoy as interim CEO, replacing Andy Byron. Internal communications stressed rebuilding trust.
The internet churned out clips where Byron’s words were re‑voiced or altered. One viral edit had him shouting a line about cheating without consent. These edits took on a life of their own, shifting the narrative into satire.
Grace Springer, who captured the original clip, said she never expected this outcome. She expressed sympathy for those hurt but admitted she could not control what went viral. Her video remains the most viewed piece of the scandal on TikTok.
The event triggered wider debates about workplace boundaries at tech firms. Commentators pointed to the unusual dynamic between a CEO and HR head, highlighting the risks when personal relationships overlap with executive power.
Even after resigning, Andy Byron remains a trending topic in business forums and concert gossip threads. His name now carries the weight of a viral scandal, showing how a single public moment can alter careers and personal lives in real time.
