- Kristin Cabot resigned as Astronomer’s HR chief days after CEO Andy Byron stepped down.
- The pair were caught on Coldplay’s kiss cam in an intimate moment that went viral.
- Internet sleuths identified them, exposing their corporate roles and personal lives.
What started as a playful concert moment turned into a career-ending scandal. When Coldplay’s Chris Martin joked about a couple hiding from the “kiss cam,” little did he know it would unravel a corporate drama.
Now, Astronomer’s HR chief Kristin Cabot has resigned, following CEO Andy Byron’s exit proving that viral fame isn’t always a good thing.
The Scandal That Forced Two High-Profile Resignations
The viral clip from Coldplay’s July 16 concert in Massachusetts showed Cabot and Byron embracing before panicking when spotted on the jumbotron. Martin’s quip
“Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy”
sparked a firestorm.
Internet sleuths quickly identified the pair, linking them to Astronomer, a New York-based data firm. Within days:
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Byron resigned after being placed on leave.
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Cabot stepped down as Chief People Officer, confirmed by the company.
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Astronomer’s website scrubbed their profiles, signaling a clean break.
Interim CEO Pete DeJoy called the attention “unusual and surreal”, admitting the scandal made Astronomer a “household name”, albeit for the wrong reasons.
The Internet’s Role: Public Shaming or Accountability?
The fallout wasn’t just corporate. Online harassment spread to Byron’s wife and even an innocent colleague wrongly accused of being the “other woman”.
Grace Springer, who filmed the moment, admitted:
“A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but play stupid games… win stupid prizes.” 2
Critics argue the incident highlights society’s “unhinged glee” in public shaming, with writer Kat Rosenfield calling it “a global spectator sport”.
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Last Updated on July 25, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
