The former HR chief recounts the viral incident, public backlash, and personal toll that upended her life after a night at the concert went viral.
Kristin Cabot, former head of HR at Astronomer, is speaking out for the first time since the infamous “#coldplaygate” kiss cam moment this past summer. What began as a fleeting, spontaneous moment during a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, turned into a viral sensation, leaving Cabot facing public scrutiny, personal heartbreak, and life-changing consequences.
“I was so embarrassed and so horrified,” Cabot admitted. “I’m the head of HR, and he’s the CEO. It’s, like, so cliché and so bad.” Cabot and Astronomer CEO Andy Byron were caught on the Jumbotron cuddling, prompting Chris Martin to quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” Internet sleuths quickly identified the pair, and the original TikTok video amassed over 100 million views within days.
Cabot recalled the immediate personal fallout. “I was worried I would embarrass my estranged husband, Andrew. He’s an amazing guy and does not deserve that,” she said, describing the conflicting emotions she faced while simultaneously navigating a professional disaster. In addition to her personal concerns, Cabot felt the weight of professional accountability. “I made a bad decision, took accountability, and gave up my career for that. That’s the price I chose to pay.”
Byron ultimately resigned following the controversy, and a formal investigation was conducted at Astronomer. While the company offered Cabot her position back, she negotiated her resignation, which was finalized on July 24. Cabot admitted she couldn’t imagine continuing as HR chief under the intense public scrutiny and humiliation.
The viral nature of the video subjected Cabot to relentless online abuse. She became “a punchline and a target,” labeled as a “slut,” “homewrecker,” and “gold digger,” while her appearance was criticized and she was doxxed. Paparazzi regularly staked out her home, and death threats flooded in, with hundreds of harassing calls daily. “My kids were afraid that I was going to die and they were going to die. That’s when the wheels fell off the cart,” she shared.
Cabot also voiced frustration at the celebrity commentary that followed. Public figures, including Gwyneth Paltrow and the cohosts of The View, reportedly used the incident for comedic material, exacerbating her humiliation. Despite the ordeal, Cabot has sought to maintain perspective for her children, emphasizing the lessons of accountability and resilience. “I want my kids to know that you can make mistakes, and you can really screw up. But you don’t have to be threatened to be killed for them,” she said.
Cabot also touched on her relationship with Byron, noting that while they were in touch over the summer, they agreed to minimize contact in order to heal. She has since filed for divorce from her estranged husband, whom she described as “nothing but a gentleman” throughout the ordeal.
Reflecting on the summer’s events, Cabot highlighted the intersection of personal misjudgment, public spectacle, and the pressures of modern celebrity culture. In the wake of #coldplaygate, she hopes her story can serve as a cautionary tale about accountability, privacy, and resilience, especially for those navigating high-profile professional and personal environments.
The incident, which began as a fleeting moment of levity at a Coldplay concert, became a profound reminder of the intense scrutiny public figures — and those suddenly thrust into the spotlight — must endure in the age of viral social media.
