Cheating Caught on Coldplay’s Kiss Cam?! CEO Deletes LinkedIn After Scandal: Imagine enjoying a lively Coldplay concert, only to find yourself on the jumbotron in a moment you’d rather keep private. That’s exactly what happened to Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer, and his Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, on July 16, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Boston. Caught in an embrace during the band’s iconic “kiss cam” segment, their awkward reaction went viral, amassing over 45 million views. Coldplay’s Chris Martin added a humorous comment, and the internet exploded with speculation about an affair. In this article, we’ll dive into the incident, its fallout, and its lessons on workplace ethics, all explained in a simple, relatable way.
The Kiss Cam Incident: What Happened?
During Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour stop in Boston, the kiss cam scanned the crowd of 65,000, zooming in on Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot. The two were standing close, arms around each other, enjoying the music—until they realized they were on the big screen. Byron quickly ducked behind a barrier, muttering under his breath, while Cabot covered her face, visibly embarrassed.
Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, noticed their reaction and quipped, “Oh, look at these two! Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.” The crowd roared with laughter, but the moment, captured by TikTok user @instaagraace, took social media by storm. Posts on X and TikTok fueled rumors, with netizens debating whether this was a workplace scandal or just a misunderstanding.
Who is Andy Byron?
Andy Byron, 50, has been the CEO of Astronomer since July 2023. Astronomer, a New York-based tech firm valued at $1.2–$1.3 billion, is known for its Astro platform, which helps companies like Ford and Condé Nast manage data pipelines. Byron’s leadership secured $93 million in Series D funding in May 2025, boosting the company’s growth. Before Astronomer, he held senior roles at Lacework, Cybereason, and Fuze, earning praise for his strategic vision, though some former employees called his style “toxic.”
Byron lives in Northborough, Massachusetts, with his wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, and their two children. After the viral clip, he deactivated his LinkedIn profile, and a fake apology attributed to him was debunked by Astronomer’s spokesperson.ndtv.com
Kristin Cabot: The HR Leader in the Spotlight
Kristin Cabot, 56, joined Astronomer in November 2024 as Chief People Officer, overseeing HR and workplace culture. With over 20 years of experience at firms like Neo4j and Proofpoint, she’s known for building trust and fostering inclusive environments. In a LinkedIn post, she described her role as “people strategy,” emphasizing alignment with business goals. However, her involvement in the scandal has led to irony, with netizens mocking her claim of “winning trust with CEOs.”
Public records show Cabot was previously married to Kenneth Thornby, with their divorce finalized in 2022. Her current marital status is unclear, adding to the speculation.newsweek.com
The Social Media and Corporate Fallout
The viral clip triggered a wave of reactions. Social media users expressed sympathy for Megan Kerrigan Byron, who removed “Byron” from her Facebook profile and deactivated her account after receiving countless comments. One X post read, “I pity his wife,” while another quipped, “What’s worse, cheating or being a Coldplay fan?” Former employees piled on, with one telling The New York Post, “Everybody’s laughing their a** off,” describing Byron as a “sales-obsessed” leader.@nypost
Astronomer has stayed silent, with no official statement from Byron or Cabot. The incident has sparked discussions about workplace ethics, especially since Cabot oversees HR policies. Netizens questioned how she could handle misconduct cases while being part of the controversy. The company’s reputation, serving major clients, now faces scrutiny.
Lessons for Workplace Ethics
This scandal highlights the importance of professional boundaries, especially for leaders. Public events like concerts can amplify private moments, and social media can turn them into global news. For companies like Astronomer, maintaining trust with employees and clients is critical. The incident serves as a reminder to uphold ethical standards, particularly in roles like HR, where integrity is paramount.
Conclusion
The Coldplay kiss cam incident has transformed a fleeting moment into a global talking point, putting Andy Byron, Kristin Cabot, and Astronomer under intense scrutiny. While the truth of their relationship remains unconfirmed, the episode underscores the power of social media to amplify personal missteps and the need for accountability in leadership. As the dust settles, this story is a lesson in navigating public and professional life with care.
What do you think about the Coldplay kiss cam drama? Share your views on workplace ethics or viral scandals in the comments below. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on trending stories, tech news, and more. Let’s discuss how leaders can rebuild trust after such controversies!