A tech CEO is at the center of a swirling internet controversy after a video from a stadium jumbotron went viral, showing him in an embrace with a woman who is not his wife. The clip, which quickly spread across social media, appears to capture Astronomer CEO Andy Byron holding his company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, at a Coldplay concert in Boston. The sequence, where Chris Martin commented on their appearance, then saw Cabot quickly cover her face and Byron duck to avoid the cameras, instantly ignited a massive online discussion.
Meet Andy Byron: The Tech Executive in the Hot Seat
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At the heart of this unfolding saga is Andy Byron, the CEO of Astronomer. He’s a pretty big deal in the tech world, leading a company that just snagged $93 million in funding, pushing its valuation to an eye-watering $1.3 billion. We’re talking serious money here, with Andy himself estimated to be worth around $50 million as of 2025, thanks to his long career in high-level executive roles.
Who Is the Mistress?
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Then there’s Kristin Cabot, who had recently stepped into the role of VP of HR at Andy’s company. She was fairly new to Astronomer, only about seven months in when all this chaos hit. What’s intriguing is that she and Andy apparently go way back professionally, having worked together at different companies before, which adds a whole layer of history to their story.
The Giggling Accomplice
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Someone else unintentionally famous from the viral clip was Alyssa Stoddard, a Senior Director of People at Astronomer, who was standing right next to Andy and Kristin. Her reaction in the video – trying to hide a laugh while looking completely stunned – strongly suggested that this alleged affair might have been an open secret within the company’s upper ranks.
The Kiss Cam Moment That Exposed All
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The exact moment that sparked this wildfire occurred during a Coldplay concert in Boston. As the kiss cam panned across the audience, it landed squarely on Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot. They were clearly in a close embrace, and then, in a blink, they were frantically trying to duck and hide from the camera. The whole stadium went dead silent; you could feel the shock. That panicked reaction was the first big clue that something was truly off.
Chris Martin’s Unintentional Spotlight
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Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, always quick with a quip, saw the awkward moment unfold live. He chuckled, “Oh look at these two… Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.” His casual comment, totally innocent at the time, ironically just poured gasoline on the fire, sending the entire situation spiraling into full-blown affair territory.
The Sticky Business of Power Dynamics
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Here’s where it gets genuinely complicated. Kristin Cabot wasn’t just a co-worker; she was the VP of HR and reported directly to Andy Byron, the CEO. This sets up a huge power imbalance. When your boss controls your salary, promotions, and your future at the company, any romantic involvement becomes a serious ethical mess. It makes you wonder about the unspoken pressures in that kind of setup.
The Painful Fallout for Megan Kerrigan
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The truly heartbreaking part of this entire ordeal centers on Megan Kerrigan Byron, Andy’s wife. She’s a teacher, and you just can’t imagine the gut-punch of seeing your husband caught like that, then having to face your students and colleagues knowing they’ve all seen it. It’s an utterly unfair and public humiliation for someone completely innocent.
Megan’s Public Disappearance Online
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The internet can be incredibly harsh, and Megan felt its full force. After her Facebook was flooded with messages, she reportedly first dropped “Byron” from her name, then completely deactivated her account. It was a clear, quiet cry for privacy, understandable when your personal life suddenly becomes global news. You can only imagine the messages she was getting.
The Invisible Toll on Their Children
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Among all the adults caught in this drama, you really have to feel for Andy and Megan’s two children. For their family life to be exposed and shattered on such a massive public stage is truly devastating. Those kids are simply innocent bystanders, watching their private world get turned upside down without any say in the matter.
Is a Multi-Million Dollar Settlement in the Cards?
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Let’s talk about the silver lining, if there is one, for Megan. Andy Byron’s estimated net worth is around $50 million for 2025, largely from his executive earnings and equity in Astronomer, which is now valued at a whopping $1.3 billion. If a divorce does happen, it’s safe to say Megan stands to walk away a multi-millionaire, potentially making this one of the most straightforward, financially speaking, settlements in recent history.
Kristin Cabot’s Past Marital Status
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For those curious about Kristin Cabot’s personal background, it turns out she isn’t currently married. Records show she divorced her ex-husband, Kenneth Thornby, a big name in the sportswear industry, back in 2022. They’d actually started their divorce proceedings in 2018. They do have at least one child together, for whom Thornby pays child support.
Andy Byron’s Ill-Fated LinkedIn Post
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You’d think in a PR crisis, a CEO might lay low, but Andy Byron actually posted on LinkedIn just hours after the concert video went viral. The comments section, as you can imagine, became an absolute free-for-all. People weren’t just criticizing him; some were bizarrely using the chaos to pitch their resumes or even entire business ideas for investment. It was truly a scene.
Limiting Comments on LinkedIn
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That infamous LinkedIn post didn’t last long, thankfully. Andy eventually took it down, and then he went a step further, disabling comments across all his other LinkedIn posts. It just proves how quickly things can spiral in the digital age, forcing even a high-profile CEO to scramble and try to shut down their public visibility. Once it’s out there, though, it’s hard to truly erase.
A History of Alleged Toxic Leadership
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Turns out, this isn’t Andy Byron’s first time in the hot seat for his behavior. Reports from 2018 resurfaced, detailing claims that he was a seriously tough, even abusive, boss during his time at Cybereason. Former employees recounted stories of him lashing out and threatening firings. Honestly, many are now seeing this whole public scandal as a dose of “karma” for his alleged past management style.
Astronomer’s Continued Corporate Silence
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Despite this entire situation blowing up into a massive public and ethical discussion, Astronomer, the company, along with Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, have all remained completely silent. No official statements, no explanations, nothing. This lack of response in the face of such a firestorm only fuels more speculation and criticism, leaving everyone wondering about accountability and the company’s internal handling of the mess.
