The human resources head who was filmed in a compromising embrace with her married CEO boss on the giant screen at a Coldplay concert has finally spoken publicly about the incident that upended both their careers. Kristin Cabot, 53, insists the viral moment was a one-time, alcohol-fueled error and not part of an ongoing sexual relationship.
The Viral Moment at the Coldplay Concert
The incident took place on July 16 during a Coldplay show in Boston. Cabot was with her then-boss, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, in VIP balcony seats. The concert's 'kiss cam' famously zoomed in on them, capturing a close embrace. Realising they were on screen, the pair abruptly pulled apart in a visible panic, a reaction that fueled the clip's rapid spread across social media platforms like TikTok.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin even commented from the stage, saying, "Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy." Byron was seen muttering, "F****** hell, it’s me," upon seeing himself broadcast to thousands.
Cabot's Account and Fallout
In an interview with The New York Times, Cabot described the incident as a "single, alcohol-fueled mistake." She admitted to having had a couple of High Noon drinks and acting inappropriately. "I made a bad decision and had a couple of High Noons and danced and acted inappropriately with my boss," she stated. "And it’s not nothing. And I took accountability and I gave up my career for that. That’s the price I chose to pay."
She acknowledged a "crush" on Byron and said they shared tequila cocktails and danced, but maintained the kiss was the first and only physical interaction between them. Immediately horrified, they retreated to a bar to discuss the damage control, acutely aware of the cliché: "I’m the head of HR and he’s the CEO. It’s, like, so cliché and so bad."
Her concerns were immediate: her career and her estranged husband, Andrew, who was also at the concert with a date. Though separated after two years of marriage, she did not want to humiliate him.
Intense Public Shaming and Professional Consequences
The fallout was severe and swift. Cabot reported facing intense public shaming, including being mocked by celebrities, called an "adulterer" by strangers, and receiving more than 60 death threats. She expressed deep concern for her children, stating, "I want my kids to know that you can make mistakes, and you can really screw up. But you don’t have to be threatened to be killed for them."
Professionally, the consequences were definitive. Cabot and Byron drafted an email to inform the board of Astronomer, but the video had already gone viral. The company launched an internal investigation, placing both on leave. Andy Byron subsequently resigned from his position as CEO. Cabot effectively ended her career at the company, paying what she calls the price for her lapse in judgment.
