Kristin Cabot, the former head of human resources at tech company Astronomer, has broken her silence for the first time since a viral kiss cam moment with her then-CEO Andy Byron at a Coldplay concert cost them both their careers. In an exclusive interview with the New York Times published Thursday, Cabot called her actions a “bad decision” but insisted the incident was not the culmination of a sexual relationship.
What Exactly Happened at the Coldplay Concert?
The scandal unfolded in July at a Coldplay concert in Boston. Cabot, 53, had invited CEO Andy Byron as her plus-one to the show with a group of her friends. After consuming a “couple of tequila cocktails,” Cabot told the Times she had developed a “crush” on Byron and, during the concert, took his hands and wrapped his arms around her. The kiss cam then panned to them, displaying their intimate embrace on the jumbotron to the crowd and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who joked, “Whoa, look at these two.” Videos of the moment spread instantly online.
How Did Cabot and Byron Explain Their Relationship?
Cabot was adamant that the kiss cam moment was an isolated incident of poor judgment, not evidence of an affair. She described a close professional bond that formed after she was hired at Astronomer in November 2024, stating they “clicked, stylistically” and spoke daily. Both were navigating marital separations in the spring, which she said “strengthened [their] connection.” She developed “big feelings” but knew she “couldn’t get too carried away” due to their roles.
Also Read: India Shuts Visa Centers in Bangladesh, Summons Envoy Over Security Concerns
What Were the Immediate Career Consequences?
The fallout was swift and severe. Cabot said she and Byron immediately drafted an email to Astronomer’s Board of Directors, but the video had already gone viral. The board launched an investigation, placing both on leave. Andy Byron resigned as CEO the next day. Cabot resigned less than a week later, though she claimed the board asked her to return to her role. She stated, “I gave up [my] career… That’s the price I chose to pay.”
How Did the Scandal Affect Their Personal Lives?
The public scrutiny escalated into intense personal trauma. Cabot revealed she and her family received consistent death threats, leaving her children “afraid that [she] was going to die and they were going to die.” Her estranged husband, Privateer Rum CEO Andrew Cabot, confirmed in early September they had been “privately and amicably separated” weeks before the concert; Kristin Cabot filed for divorce in mid-August. The status of Byron’s marriage to Megan Kerrigan remains unclear, though she removed her married name from social media. Cabot said she and Byron eventually stopped speaking to help everyone “move on and heal.” Andy Byron declined to comment for the New York Times story.
