What happened at the Coldplay concert?

A viral kiss cam moment at a Coldplay concert has led to the abrupt downfall of two top executives at Astronomer, a leading DataOps company based in New York. Kristin Cabot, the firm’s Chief People Officer, officially resigned on July 24, 2025, just days after CEO Andy Byron stepped down in the wake of mounting scrutiny over their on-camera embrace.

The incident occurred on July 16 at Gillette Stadium in Boston, during Coldplay’s performance of “The Jumbotron Song.” As the camera panned to Byron, 50, and Cabot, concertgoers—and soon, millions of TikTok users—watched them caught in an intimate moment that sparked immediate affair rumors.

Frontman Chris Martin quipped from the stage, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” as the pair awkwardly reacted—Byron ducking his head and Cabot covering her face. The clip went viral, drawing over 34 million views on TikTok and generating more than 22,000 media stories in just 24 hours, according to Axios.

How did the Astronomer respond?

Following the social media storm, Astronomer’s board placed both executives on leave on July 18, citing violations of the company’s standards for conduct and accountability. Byron resigned the following day, while Cabot’s departure came five days later, after an internal review reportedly examined the nature of their relationship and any potential breaches of company policy.

A spokesperson for Astronomer confirmed to TMZ, “Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer—she’s resigned.” Co-founder Pete DeJoy has stepped in as interim CEO while the company begins its leadership transition.

Why did the fallout escalate so quickly?

The speed and severity of the fallout can be attributed to a combination of public exposure, timing, and executive roles.

Byron, a married father and high-profile div in tech, saw his personal life publicly unravel as his wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, removed his surname from her Facebook profile in the hours following the kiss cam broadcast. Cabot, who was reportedly divorced in 2022, faced additional scrutiny given her position as Chief People Officer—tasked with upholding workplace ethics and compliance.

Legal analyst William Cafaro told NDTV, “It’s hard to imagine her continuing in her role,” referencing the inherent conflict for an HR head involved in a possible inappropriate workplace relationship. Her exit on July 24 suggests there may have been legal negotiations behind the scenes to finalize her departure.

Adding to the PR storm, a previously shared but now-deleted LinkedIn post praising Cabot’s hiring was widely circulated online with commenters calling the situation “ironic.”

What is ColdplayGate?

Dubbed “ColdplayGate” across social media, the scandal quickly took on a life of its own. It combined voyeuristic fascination with executive drama, workplace ethics, and celebrity timing—fueled by Coldplay’s global fan base and the couple’s live, unscripted reaction.

It wasn’t just the viral moment that fueled backlash. Reports also resurfaced about Byron’s past at Cybereason, where from 2017 to 2019 he faced internal allegations of creating a toxic workplace, including employee intimidation (per Marca.com). Although those claims were never legally substantiated, the pattern raised concerns among investors and employees.

Who is Kristin Cabot?

Before joining Astronomer in November 2024, Cabot held executive roles at Neo4j and Proofpoint, where she was known for her strategic work in talent development. She was recruited to Astronomer by Byron himself, who publicly praised her “exceptional leadership” in navigating talent and organizational growth, per US Magazine.

Her tenure, though brief, ended under intense scrutiny. As Chief People Officer, her involvement in the scandal raised serious questions about her ability to remain a credible advocate for workplace ethics and HR policies—an untenable position amid an internal investigation.

What’s next for Astronomer?

Astronomer’s board has moved swiftly to contain reputational damage and stabilize leadership. In a statement provided to The Guardian, the company reaffirmed its commitment to “the values and culture that have guided us since our founding.”

With Pete DeJoy assuming interim leadership, the company now faces the challenge of rebuilding internal trust and maintaining external credibility as it navigates an increasingly competitive DataOps landscape.

While the scandal may fade from headlines, its impact on Astronomer’s internal culture, investor relations, and public image will likely linger well into the coming quarters.

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