The tech world and social media alike were recently set ablaze by a viral clip from a Coldplay concert in Boston. The clip featured Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, in what appeared to be an intimate moment captured by the concert’s “kiss cam”. The incident has since spiraled into a full-blown scandal, dubbed “Coldplaygate”, sparking public discussion about workplace relationships, personal boundaries, and the unforgiving nature of public scrutiny.
The Individuals at the Center of the Controversy
Andy Byron
Andy Byron, Astronomer company CEO since July 2023, was captured on the kiss cam alongside Kristin Cabot. Byron, a married father of two children, lives in New York with his wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron. Byron has a history of leadership roles in the tech sector, including positions at Lacework, Cybereason, Fuze, Vericenter, and BMC Software. Notably, his tenure as Chief Revenue Officer at Cybereason (2017-2019) was marked by accusations of a toxic work environment and aggressive behavior towards employees, which he denied. While his exact net worth remains private, it’s speculated to be in the millions, a figure commonly associated with leaders of companies valued in the billions like Astronomer.
Kristin Cabot
Kristin Cabot, the Chief People Officer at Astronomer, also found herself in the spotlight following the kiss cam incident. Cabot, who joined Astronomer in 2024, is recognized for her HR leadership experience at companies like Proofpoint, ObserveIT, and Neo4j. Her LinkedIn profile previously featured a post emphasizing her ability to “build trust with CEOs,” which has garnered significant attention and discussion online.
Megan Kerrigan Byron
Megan Kerrigan Byron, wife of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, has been thrust into the public eye amidst the controversy. An educator at the Bancroft School, she works as the Associate Director of the Lower School and the Hope Graham Program Admissions. Following the viral incident, Megan Kerrigan reportedly dropped “Byron” from her social media profiles, fueling rumors of marital discord, and deleted her Facebook account, prompting a wave of support and sympathy from online users. Megan Kerrigan is known for maintaining a low public profile, and this sudden unwanted attention has placed her in a difficult position.
The Coldplay Concert Incident: What Really Happened?
The pivotal moment occurred at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts. As the “kiss cam” panned across the audience, it focused on Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot. Multiple videos show Byron with his arm around Cabot, and upon realizing they were on camera, Byron hastily ducked out of the frame while Cabot covered her face. Chris Martin, Coldplay’s frontman, jokingly commented on the situation from the stage, saying, “Oh look at these two… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.” This offhand remark, coupled with the pair’s reaction, fueled the fire, turning a potentially private moment into a viral spectacle.
The Aftermath and Wider Implications
The video rapidly circulated on social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), leading to widespread condemnation and speculation about a potential affair and its implications within the Astronomer company. While a purported apology letter from Byron circulated, it was later confirmed to be fake. Notably, Byron has reportedly disabled comments on his LinkedIn profile, and both he and Cabot have remained silent regarding the incident.
The incident has also brought renewed attention to Byron’s past, particularly the accusations of a “toxic” work environment during his time at Cybereason. Former employees have reportedly expressed a sense of schadenfreude regarding Byron’s situation.
The “Coldplaygate” scandal highlights the increasing intersection of personal lives and public platforms, especially for figures in prominent positions like Astronomer CEO Andy Byron. The controversy raises critical questions about ethical conduct in the workplace, the fragility of personal reputations in the digital age, and the role of social media in amplifying such events. The long-term consequences for Byron, Cabot, and the Astronomer company remain to be seen.
