The former HR executive who became an overnight internet sensation after a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert captured an intimate moment with her CEO has spoken publicly for the first time, describing the incident as "so cliché and so bad".
The Viral Moment That Changed Everything
Kristin Cabot, 53, was Astronomer's Chief People Officer when she attended the Coldplay concert on 16 July with the company's CEO, Andy Byron. The pair were filmed by the stadium's jumbotron during a 'kiss cam' segment, showing them in an embrace with Mr Byron's arms around her waist from behind. The moment they realised they were on screen, they leapt apart in shock.
The video, originally posted on TikTok, amassed a staggering more than 100 million views within days, sparking a global frenzy. In her first interview since the incident with The New York Times, Cabot recalled feeling "so embarrassed and so horrified". "I'm the head of HR and he's the CEO. It's, like, so cliché and so bad," she said.
Aftermath and Severe Consequences
The fallout from the viral scandal was swift and severe. Both Cabot and CEO Andy Byron ultimately resigned from their positions at Astronomer. Cabot revealed that while they initially kept in touch, by September they agreed that continuing to speak would hinder everyone's ability to move on. Their contact has been minimal since.
Cabot explained that her feelings for Byron had developed at work, describing a "crush", but insisted they were "not an item" and that the kiss at the concert was their first and only. She attributed her actions that night to a "bad decision", having consumed a couple of High Noon alcoholic drinks, leading her to "dance and act inappropriately" with her boss.
The personal repercussions extended far beyond her career. Cabot, who was separated from her second husband and in divorce negotiations at the time, said she received dozens of death threats. One chilling message read: "I know you shop at Market Basket and I'm coming for you." The threats began to terrify her children, who overheard some of the messages. "My kids were afraid that I was going to die and they were going to die," Cabot told the Times.
Rebuilding and a Message of Resilience
Amid the online vitriol, Cabot also faced accusations of "sleeping around" to advance her career—a claim that stung given her lifelong dedication to financial independence. She started working at age 13 and proudly supported her family single-handedly after her first divorce in 2018.
Now, Cabot hopes her experience can serve as a lesson, particularly for her children. She wants to show that while you can make serious mistakes, the consequences should not include threats to your life. "I made a bad decision... And it's not nothing. And I took accountability and I gave up my career for that. That's the price I chose to pay," she stated.
The Independent has contacted Astronomer for comment regarding the incident and its aftermath.
