Additional Coverage:
- The woman in the viral Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ video breaks her monthslong silence (businessinsider.com)
Kiss Cam Catches HR Exec in Unexpected Embrace, Sparking Viral Firestorm and Career Fallout
Kristin Cabot, formerly the Head of People at Astronomer, is finally breaking her silence after a “kiss cam” moment at a Coldplay concert went viral this summer, catching her in an embrace with the company’s then-CEO, Andy Byron. The incident led to both individuals departing their roles and ignited a firestorm of online speculation and real-world consequences for Cabot, who has now given her first public interviews to The New York Times and the Times of London.
The now-infamous video captured Cabot and Byron sharing a kiss, quickly untangling, and attempting to duck away from the camera’s gaze. This seemingly innocuous moment rapidly spiraled into a full-blown public scandal, leaving Cabot to navigate a torrent of online vitriol, personal upheaval, and significant career repercussions.
The Backstory: A Budding Connection and a First Kiss
Cabot revealed that the Coldplay concert marked the very first kiss between her and Byron. She explained that she had joined Astronomer in November 2024 and had developed a strong professional rapport with Byron.
Shortly before the concert in July, Cabot shared with Byron that she was in the process of separating from her now-ex-husband, Andrew Cabot. It was then she learned Byron was also facing a similar situation in his personal life.
By the time of the concert, Cabot admitted to developing “a big happy crush” on Byron, though she maintained professional boundaries due to his position as her boss. After a few “High Noons” – popular vodka seltzers – at the concert, she said their interactions became more akin to a couple. This single kiss, she emphasizes, was their only one.
Immediate Crisis Management and Aftermath
The moment the kiss cam focused on them, Cabot’s initial thought was the accidental public humiliation of her still-husband, who was also present at the concert. “Then a beat later my mind turns to, ‘Oh God, Andy’s my effing boss’, this is a bad look,'” she recounted to the Times of London.
In a swift move to manage the budding crisis, Cabot and Byron immediately drove to her home, an hour away, to strategize. They decided they needed to inform the company’s board before the video could spread.
Cabot described experiencing “panic attacks” during this period, and she and Byron continued their phone discussions for several hours after he left. Cabot has since engaged a communications consultant and states she and Byron have had limited contact since September.
The Viral Fallout and Personal Toll
Around 4 AM the next morning, Cabot’s then-husband, Andrew, sent her a screenshot of the video on TikTok. She noted his cordial demeanor throughout the ordeal.
The following morning, she apologized to the board, who, she says, were understanding despite opening an investigation. While the board ultimately asked Cabot to remain in her role, she chose to resign.
The immediate aftermath was harrowing. Cabot retreated to an Airbnb in the New Hampshire mountains, admitting she was in “too dark a place” to fulfill her parenting responsibilities.
In the weeks that followed, she received an overwhelming 500 to 600 calls daily, including 50 to 60 death threats. Her children became hesitant to go out in public with her due to heckling, primarily from other women.
Local police increased surveillance of her home, and she installed security cameras. Many former colleagues, she says, have completely cut ties with her.
Anger at Public Figures and Lasting Repercussions
Cabot also expressed her frustration with public figures. She criticized Gwyneth Paltrow, founder of Goop, for appearing in an Astronomer ad that seemingly poked fun at the kiss cam video.
Cabot called Paltrow, who famously coined the term “conscious uncoupling” after her split from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, a “hypocrite” and subsequently discarded all her Goop products. She also expressed disappointment that no one from Coldplay, including Chris Martin, had contacted her or released a statement regarding the incident.
The professional impact has been particularly severe. Cabot, who has always prided herself on her career and financial independence, told the Times of London that the scandal has rendered her virtually “unemployable.” “It has been like a scarlet letter; people erased everything I’d accomplished in my life and achieved in my career,” she lamented.
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- The woman in the viral Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ video breaks her monthslong silence (businessinsider.com)