What was supposed to be a night of music turned into a public scandal for former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron. During Coldplay’s Massachusetts concert, the stadium’s kiss cam captured Byron and company HR head Kristin Cabot in what appeared to be an intimate moment.
The camera footage, showing the pair embracing, quickly went viral. Social media exploded after Coldplay frontman Chris Martin jokingly commented, “Either they’re having an affair, or they are really shy.”
The Aftermath
Both Byron and Cabot are married to other partners, and the viral clip led to immediate backlash. Fans online shared multiple videos of the pair hugging and kissing during the show. Soon after, Astronomer placed both executives on administrative leave.
The fallout escalated:
- Andy Byron resigned from Astronomer following a Board of Directors statement.
- Kristin Cabot also resigned from her position.
- Sources say Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan, has moved out of their home.
Legal Threats Against Coldplay
Reports claim that Byron is now considering legal action against Coldplay and the concert organisers, citing “emotional distress” and “invasion of privacy.”
A source told Page Six, “He didn’t consent to being filmed or publicly humiliated. He thinks Coldplay made him a meme.”
Experts Weigh In
Attorney Camron Dowlatshahi from MSD Lawyers suggested a creative angle could be defamation—specifically tied to Martin’s “affair” remark. However, Byron would need to prove that there was no affair to have a case.
Other legal experts, however, believe Byron faces an uphill battle:
“At a public concert with cameras and 70,000 people, your expectation of privacy is near zero. It sounds like he’s trying to shift blame,” one attorney told Page Six.
Coldplay has not issued an official response, though insiders quoted by Rob Shuter’s ShuterScoop claimed Martin “laughed out loud” at the idea of being sued over a kiss cam moment.
Public Perception and Reputation Damage
While Byron may pursue legal avenues, analysts suggest the case would be a “long shot.” Meanwhile, the viral clip continues to circulate online, further fueling speculation and public commentary.
What started as a light-hearted concert segment has now become a cautionary tale about public exposure, workplace relationships, and the consequences of viral moments in the age of social media.
