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Months after a viral moment at a Coldplay concert sparked rumors of an affair, a source close to Kristin Cabot insists there was no romantic relationship between Cabot and former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron.
The controversy began in July when Byron, 51, was caught on the venue's kiss cam with his arms around Cabot, 53, Astronomer's former chief people officer. The two reacted awkwardly, quickly ducking out of view, prompting Coldplay's Chris Martin to joke on stage, "Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy."
The clip spread rapidly, fueling headlines, memes, and public scrutiny. Both Byron and Cabot were placed on leave and soon resigned, with Astronomer's board citing leadership accountability.
However, a source close to Cabot tells People that the situation was grossly misinterpreted. "Kristin and Andy had an excellent working relationship, a great friendship. There was no affair," the source said. "It was inappropriate to be hugging your boss at a concert, and she accepts full responsibility for that moment. But the scandal, the downfall, the loss of the job, all of that is unfair."
The source added that Cabot and her husband, Andrew, were "privately and amicably separated" before the concert. She filed for divorce in mid-August, while Andrew reportedly attended the same concert on a date. Byron's wife, Megan Kerrigan, has not publicly commented but swiftly removed her married name from social media following the incident.
Cabot has been subjected to intense backlash, including nearly 900 death threats. "These are real people and real families," the source said. "The way people have taken enjoyment at their expense has been devastating."
The source emphasized that Cabot attended the concert with a large group of friends, not as part of a company event. "There was no company box. It was just a night out that turned into a nightmare," they explained.
Cabot, a mother of two, is now focused on her children and healing privately. "She's been prioritizing her family," the source said. "Her kids have been through a lot. It's going to take time."
The incident has ignited discussions about privacy in the digital era and how quickly public shaming can spiral. "All of the misinformation has been the most mind-blowing," the source concluded.
