A split-second moment under the bright lights of a Coldplay concert has upended lives and careers, culminating in Kristin Cabot’s resignation as Chief People Officer at Astronomer. On July 24, 2025, Cabot walked away from her role at the $740 million tech firm, just over a week after a viral video caught her in a compromising embrace with CEO Andy Byron, setting off a firestorm of gossip and scrutiny.
It all started on July 16, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Boston during Coldplay’s “kiss cam” segment. The jumbotron zeroed in on Cabot and Byron, cozy in the crowd, his arms wrapped around her. When they realized they were on display, they scrambled to cover their faces, but the damage was done. Coldplay’s Chris Martin, ever the showman, quipped,
“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,”
as the crowd laughed. A fan’s TikTok video of the moment spread like wildfire, and within hours, social media sleuths had identified the pair as top executives at Astronomer, a fast-growing data and AI company.
The fallout was swift and brutal. Both Cabot and Byron are married, not to each other, which turned a fleeting clip into a full-blown scandal. Cabot, who joined Astronomer in November 2024, is married to Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum. The couple had recently splashed out $2.2 million on a home in New Hampshire, though whispers of marital strain were already circulating. Byron, Astronomer’s CEO since July 2023, is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, a mother of two who didn’t hold back on her hurt. In now-deleted Facebook posts, Megan wrote,
“The betrayal wasn’t just personal, it was public. The whispers, the DMs, the pity… it was too much.”
She later thanked supporters for their kindness but asked for space, signing off with a heartfelt,
“With all my heart, Megan.”
Astronomer didn’t waste time. On July 18, 2025, the company suspended both executives and launched an investigation, stressing that its leaders must uphold the highest standards. Byron resigned the next day, leaving co-founder Pete DeJoy to step in as interim CEO. Cabot followed suit on July 24, with Astronomer confirming her exit and doubling down on its commitment to integrity. Both have since vanished from LinkedIn, their online presence scrubbed as the scandal grew legs.
The personal toll is still unfolding. As of July 25, 2025, no divorces have been announced, but the signs are ominous. Megan Kerrigan Byron dropped her husband’s last name on social media and shut down her accounts, hinting at deep cracks in their marriage. Some outlets estimate she could pursue a divorce settlement north of $30 million, given Byron’s wealth and Astronomer’s recent $93 million funding round. Andrew Cabot, who was reportedly abroad when the video surfaced, has stayed mum, leaving questions about his next steps unanswered.
The scandal has rippled beyond personal drama, casting a shadow over Astronomer’s meteoric rise. Fresh off a major funding round, the company now faces questions about its workplace culture and leadership. The board is working to steady the ship, but the story has gripped the public, with memes and hot takes flooding social media. Even Chris Martin couldn’t resist a nod at a later concert, jokingly urging fans to “do your makeup” before the kiss cam swings their way.
