Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s Kiss Cam Scandal Destroys Marriage & Career
In what’s become 2025’s most explosive corporate scandal, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s life completely imploded following a viral Coldplay concert moment. The footage shows Byron embracing Kristin Cabot, the company’s chief people officer, from behind at Wednesday’s concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
When the pair realized they were on the jumbotron, they quickly separated and ducked out of view. But the damage was done – the video exploded across social media, racking up over 45 million views on TikTok alone.
Chris Martin’s commentary made it worse, joking to the crowd: “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.” The moment, dubbed “ColdplayGate,” has become a global phenomenon with endless memes and commentary.
Wife’s Devastating Response Shocks Internet
The personal cost has been brutal for Byron’s family. Megan Kerrigan Byron removed her last name and then swiftly deleted her Facebook account following the viral cheating allegations, according to Page Six reports.
Page Six reported that Byron’s wife deleted her Facebook page after her account was inundated with comments from people about the alleged affair. The couple had maintained happy family photos on social media until the scandal broke.
Megan Kerrigan works as Associate Director of the Lower School at a Massachusetts educational institution. She built a quiet life away from the tech spotlight, only to find herself thrust into an international scandal.
Corporate Meltdown and Investigation
The fallout was swift and merciless. Astronomer said in a post on X that its board has launched a “formal investigation” after CEO Andy Byron was caught on video with the company’s HR chief at a Coldplay concert.
Both Byron and Cabot have been placed on leave and are reportedly negotiating exit deals. The company stated: “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability”.
Byron also deleted his LinkedIn profile, with the URL now showing an error message. The timing is particularly damaging since Byron joined Astronomer in July 2023, while Cabot was hired in November 2024 – raising questions about when their relationship began.
The $1 Billion Company in Crisis
Byron’s fall is especially dramatic given his recent success. Under his leadership since July 2023, Astronomer achieved unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. In May, Astronomer announced a $93 million investment round led by Bain Ventures and other investors, including Salesforce Ventures.
In a cruel irony, when Cabot was hired, Byron praised her “exceptional leadership” and “passion for fostering diverse, collaborative workplaces” – words that now seem hollow given the workplace ethics violations.
The company relocated from Cincinnati to New York as part of its growth strategy, making this scandal even more damaging to its corporate image.
Global Outrage and Media Frenzy
The scandal transcended typical corporate news to become a cultural phenomenon. Major outlets from CNBC to international media have covered the story extensively. Social media users have been relentless, creating memes and conspiracy theories about every aspect of the situation.
While a statement of apology attributed to Byron circulated on social media, Astronomer confirmed that it was not real. The complete silence from both Byron and Cabot has only fueled more speculation.
Former Astronomer CEO Ry Walker felt compelled to distance himself, writing: “For those asking—I’m no longer involved in @astronomerio—yes I was co-founder and early CEO—not on the team or board since 2022, and have no information on ColdplayGate.”
The Human Cost
Beyond corporate implications, this represents a human tragedy. A marriage has been destroyed, children have seen their family torn apart, and an educator has been thrust into unwanted international attention.
Cabot was reportedly previously married to Kenneth Thornby, with their divorce being finalized in 2022. Both executives now face complete dismantling of their personal lives under global scrutiny.
What Happens Next
As Byron and Cabot negotiate their exits, questions remain about whether they’ll ever make public statements. The scandal will undoubtedly become a case study in crisis management and executive accountability.
Byron’s journey from billion-dollar CEO to global scandal serves as the ultimate cautionary tale for executives in the digital age, where one moment of poor judgment can destroy decades of achievement in hours.
The complete absence of any authentic response from the involved parties continues to fuel public fascination with a story that shows no signs of fading from the headlines.
🔥 FAQs: What Everyone’s Asking
Q1: Is Andy Byron still the CEO of Astronomer?
No. Andy Byron has been placed on leave and is negotiating his exit. Astronomer co-founder Pete DeJoy is now serving as interim CEO.
Q2: Who is Andy Byron’s wife, and how did she react?
Megan Kerrigan Byron works as an associate director at a Massachusetts school. She removed “Byron” from her Facebook name and deleted all social media after being flooded with comments about the scandal.
Q3: How viral did the Coldplay video go?
The TikTok video hit 45+ million views, with total viewership across all platforms estimated at over 100 million globally.
Q4: What exactly happened at the concert?
At Coldplay’s Gillette Stadium concert, Byron was caught on kiss cam embracing HR chief Kristin Cabot. They panicked when they realized they were on camera. Chris Martin joked, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.”
Q5: What are the consequences for both executives?
Both Byron and Cabot are on leave, facing corporate investigation, and negotiating exit deals. The scandal raises workplace ethics violations that could lead to lawsuits.