Coldplay Kiss‑Cam Sparks ‘ColdplayGate’: Astronomer CEO & HR Chief Caught Embracing
A viral Kiss‑Cam clip at a Coldplay concert captures Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot in an intimate moment, fueling affair rumors, memes, and fact‑checking chaos
Credits: X/@AmiriKing
During Coldplay’s Gillette Stadium concert, a Kiss‑Cam moment unexpectedly spotlighted Astronomer’s married CEO Andy Byron embracing Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot. Their embarrassed reaction prompted frontman Chris Martin to joke, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” triggering a global social media frenzy.
As the video swept TikTok, X, Reddit, and Instagram—with tens of millions of views—it sparked widespread gossip. Many poked fun, while others expressed empathy for Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, amid rumors she removed her surname from her profiles after the incident.
Rumors escalated with a viral but false claim from an X user alleging he was fired from Astronomer for buying the concert tickets. A swift fact-check debunked the story: the man, Alex Cohen, is the cofounder of a healthcare startup with no ties to Astronomer.
Meanwhile, internet sleuths unearthed Kristin Cabot’s old LinkedIn posts about “winning trust with CEOs,” adding ironic fuel to the fire. A third executive, HR Director Alyssa Stoddard, was also seen visibly shocked in the crowd, intensifying speculation.
Neither Byron nor Cabot have issued personal statements. Astronomer turned off comments on its social handles, and former CEO Ry Walker distanced the firm from the drama, labeling it "ColdplayGate".
