In a whirlwind of controversy that has captivated social media and news outlets, Kristin Cabot, the former Chief People Officer at Astronomer, has resigned from her position following a viral incident at a Coldplay concert on July 16, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The scandal, which unfolded on the concert’s “kiss cam,” showed Cabot in a cozy embrace with Astronomer’s CEO, Andy Byron, prompting speculation about an affair and leading to significant personal and professional fallout. Notably, Cabot was recently spotted without her wedding ring, fueling rumors about her marriage to Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum. This article delves into the details of the incident, its consequences, and the broader implications for those involved, drawing on recent reports and public sentiment.

The Coldplay Concert Incident

The drama began at Boston’s Gillette Stadium during Coldplay’s concert, when the jumbotron’s “kiss cam” panned to Cabot and Byron, both married executives at Astronomer, a data orchestration tech company valued at over $1.3 billion. The footage, which quickly went viral on platforms like TikTok and X, captured the pair in an intimate moment, swaying together with Byron’s arms around Cabot. Their reaction to being spotlighted was telling: Byron ducked out of view, muttering an expletive, while Cabot buried her face in her hands, appearing mortified. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, unaware of the full context, quipped to the 55,000-strong crowd, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” a comment that amplified the moment’s impact as it spread online, garnering millions of views.

Both Cabot, 52, and Byron, who have not publicly clarified the nature of their relationship, are married to other people. Cabot is wed to Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum, while Byron is married to Megan Byron, who reportedly removed his last name from her social media profiles shortly after the incident. The viral clip sparked immediate speculation about infidelity, with internet sleuths and media outlets digging into the personal lives of both executives.

Professional Fallout: Resignations and Investigations

The public nature of the incident put Astronomer in an uncomfortable spotlight. The company, known for its work in data analytics and AI, swiftly placed both Byron and Cabot on leave pending an internal investigation. On July 19, 2025, Astronomer announced that Byron had resigned, with the board citing a failure to meet the company’s standards of conduct and accountability. A statement on LinkedIn read, “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”

Cabot’s resignation followed on July 24, 2025, just over a week after the concert. A company spokesperson confirmed to multiple outlets, including TMZ and Fox News, that “Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer. She has resigned.” Her profile was promptly removed from the company’s “Meet the Team” page, signaling a clean break. The rapid exits of both executives suggest that the scandal’s fallout was too significant for Astronomer to navigate without decisive action, especially given Cabot’s role as Chief People Officer, tasked with fostering trust and company culture.

Interim CEO Pete DeJoy, who stepped into Byron’s role, addressed the controversy in a LinkedIn post on July 21, describing the media attention as “unusual and surreal” but noting that it had made Astronomer a “household name.” While DeJoy expressed commitment to moving forward, some criticized his tone as overly celebratory given the circumstances. Legal experts suggested that firing Cabot outright could have been challenging due to employment laws, which may explain why she initially remained in her role after Byron’s departure before ultimately resigning.

Personal Ramifications: Marriage Troubles and Public Scrutiny

The scandal has also cast a spotlight on Cabot’s personal life, particularly her marriage to Andrew Cabot. Public records and media reports confirm that Kristin, whose maiden name is Stanek, is married to Andrew, a prominent figure in Massachusetts’ business scene as the CEO and COO of Privateer Rum. The couple owns a $2.2 million, four-bedroom home in Rye, New Hampshire, and sold another property in Watertown, Massachusetts, for $1.8 million earlier in 2025. However, recent sightings of Cabot without her wedding ring have fueled speculation about marital strain.

On July 23, 2025, the Daily Mail published exclusive photos of Cabot at her Rye home, watering plants and appearing somber. Notably, she was not wearing her wedding ring, a detail that stood in contrast to earlier social media posts, such as one from April 2023 showing her with Andrew and his children at a family birthday party, where the ring was visible. This absence, combined with her resignation, has led to widespread speculation about the state of her marriage. Andrew Cabot, who was reportedly on a business trip in Asia when the scandal broke, has not commented publicly, and Kristin has remained silent on the matter.

Adding to the complexity, Kristin has a history of legal disputes from her previous marriage to Ken Thornby, finalized in 2020. Documents reveal she was pursuing $186,176 in unpaid child support, despite her current husband’s affluence. Andrew Cabot himself has been married twice before, with divorces in 2013 and 2018, and shares two children with his first wife, Maud. These details, uncovered by outlets like the Daily Mail and Hindustan Times, have intensified public interest in the scandal, with social media posts on X amplifying the narrative of infidelity and betrayal.

Public and Media Reaction

The incident has sparked a frenzy online, with X users and media outlets dissecting every detail. Posts on X ranged from humorous takes, like @SholaMos1’s quip about “karma” outing the pair, to more serious reports from outlets like @ABC7 and @DailyMail confirming Cabot’s resignation and ringless appearance. The viral nature of the video, coupled with Chris Martin’s candid remark, has turned the incident into a cultural moment, with some users marveling at the “jumbotron justice” that exposed the executives. Others expressed sympathy for the spouses involved, particularly Megan Byron and Andrew Cabot, who have been thrust into the public eye.

Media coverage has been relentless, with outlets like People, Fox Business, and The Guardian emphasizing the professional consequences for Astronomer, a company previously known for its low-profile work in DataOps. The scandal has also raised questions about workplace dynamics, particularly the optics of a CEO and HR chief engaging in behavior that undermines their roles. As one legal expert noted to the New York Post, firing Cabot immediately could have been legally fraught, but her resignation likely reflects the untenable pressure she faced.

Broader Implications

The Coldplay kiss cam scandal highlights the intersection of personal conduct and professional accountability in the age of social media. For Astronomer, the incident has been a double-edged sword: it has brought unprecedented visibility to the company but at the cost of its reputation. DeJoy’s claim that the company is now a “household name” may hold true, but the context is less than ideal for a firm aiming to maintain credibility in the tech industry.

For Cabot and Byron, the personal fallout is ongoing. The absence of Cabot’s wedding ring and Megan Byron’s social media changes suggest significant strain in their respective marriages. Meanwhile, the public nature of the scandal serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of high-profile indiscretions in an era where cameras are ubiquitous and social media amplifies every misstep.

Conclusion

Kristin Cabot’s resignation from Astronomer and her appearance without a wedding ring mark the latest chapters in a scandal that has gripped the public’s attention. The Coldplay concert incident, with its viral kiss cam moment and Chris Martin’s unwitting commentary, has led to professional ruin for two executives and sparked widespread speculation about their personal lives. As Astronomer moves forward under new leadership, and Cabot and Byron navigate the consequences of their actions, the saga underscores the power of social media to expose and amplify personal failings. Whether this marks the end of the story or the beginning of further revelations remains to be seen, but for now, Kristin Cabot’s ringless hand and her exit from Astronomer are poignant symbols of a career and marriage under scrutiny.