*A source has revealed that the widely publicized embrace between former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay concert was not evidence of an affair.
The incident, which sparked a viral TikTok video in July, led to significant fallout, including both executives’ resignations. “Kristin and Andy had an excellent working relationship, a great friendship. There was no affair,” a source told PEOPLE.
The controversy erupted on July 17 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, during a Coldplay performance. A video captured Byron, 51, standing behind Cabot, 53, with his arms wrapped around her, prompting Coldplay’s Chris Martin to jest from the stage, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.” When the pair noticed themselves on the stadium’s large screens, Cabot covered her face, and Byron ducked out of view, fueling speculation.
NEW: CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot from Astronomer caught having an affair on the jumbotron at Coldplay’s Boston concert pic.twitter.com/QloKq6n5NO
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) July 17, 2025
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Contrary to initial reports, Cabot’s husband, Andrew, was not in Japan but present at the same concert with a date, according to a source speaking to The Times. “They had been separated and living apart for several weeks. It was amicable,” the source explained, noting that Andrew was with a woman who is now his girlfriend.
Cabot, who filed for divorce on August 13 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, “wasn’t hiding” but acknowledged the inappropriateness of the hug. “She knew it was inappropriate to behave that way with her boss as the head of HR,” the source added, emphasizing that “it was not some affair.”
The public backlash was swift and severe, with Cabot unfairly labeled a “homewrecker,” according to the source. “It is important to note how inappropriately mislabeled Kristin has been — as a homewrecker. It’s unfathomable to witness what has happened, and how devastating it can be, for not just individuals, but entire families,” the source told PEOPLE.
Astronomer, a company leveraging artificial intelligence for business growth, addressed the incident via a statement on X: “As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.” Byron resigned on July 19, followed shortly by Cabot’s departure from the company.
The source clarified that Cabot accepts responsibility for the inappropriate hug but considers the ensuing scandal and job losses unfair. “It was inappropriate to be hugging your boss at a concert, and she accepts full responsibility for it. But the scandal, the downfall, the loss of the job — all of that is unfair,” the source told PEOPLE.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Chris Martin Addresses Couple from Coldplay Concert Jumbotron Scandal
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