Viral video: Astronomer CEO and HR chief caught ‘cheating’ on Coldplay kiss cam

What began as an innocent Kiss Cam moment at a Coldplay concert has spiraled into a full-blown corporate scandal. Andy Byron, CEO of billion-dollar tech company Astronomer, is facing intense backlash after being caught in an intimate moment with Kristin Cabot, the company’s chief people officer — not his wife.

Chris Martin’s joke sparks viral chaos

The moment unfolded at Coldplay’s Boston concert when frontman Chris Martin drew attention to the couple on the jumbotron. As the camera lingered, Byron and Cabot exchanged nervous glances. Martin joked, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”

That offhand comment led netizens to quickly uncover that Byron is married with two children.

Alyssa Stoddard’s reaction becomes a meme

Astronomer’s senior director of people, Alyssa Stoddard, was caught on the same camera shot. Her stunned expression — wide eyes and gaping mouth — has since gone viral.

Social media users called her face the “entire HR department’s response,” turning her reaction into a meme template overnight.

LinkedIn bio becomes internet punchline

Cabot’s LinkedIn profile says she “wins trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to assistants.”

That quickly became the butt of internet jokes. “She definitely built trust with the CEO,” one user wrote.

Another added, “Guess she skipped the ‘don’t date your boss’ module in HR onboarding.”

Megan Byron drops surname, gets public support

The scandal gained traction when users noticed that Megan Kerrigan Byron had quietly removed “Byron” from her Facebook name.

Though she hasn’t spoken publicly, her page was flooded with messages of sympathy and encouragement.

“You don’t deserve this.”

“Hope you’re surrounded by love and support.”

“It’s heartbreaking — especially knowing you’re a devoted mom.”

Coldplay fans react with snark and support

Social media exploded with commentary. Some were furious over the workplace ethics breach, while others responded with humor and Coldplay puns.

“Exposed by Coldplay. You can't make this up.”

“Her LinkedIn said she builds trust. She wasn’t lying.”

“The HR head and CEO? That’s not employee engagement — that’s a series finale.”

“This is why you don’t sit near the Kiss Cam when you’re up to no good.”

Amidst the jokes, many offered empathy for Megan Byron, especially after her name change signaled a potential separation.

Facebook name change sparks split rumours

Eagle-eyed users noted that Megan dropped her husband's surname from Facebook soon after the video surfaced. Neither party has commented, but the move triggered rumors of an impending separation.

No word yet from Astronomer

As of now, there’s been no statement from Astronomer, Andy Byron, or Kristin Cabot. The video has fueled ongoing questions around workplace ethics, leadership conduct, and whether the company will take disciplinary action.

Who’s who in the Coldplay affair scandal

• Andy Byron has been CEO of Astronomer since July 2023. He’s held senior roles at Lacework, Cybereason, and Fuze.

• Kristin Cabot is the chief people officer and responsible for the company’s workplace culture.

• Megan Kerrigan Byron is Andy’s wife and a mother of two. She keeps a low profile but recently removed “Byron” from her Facebook name.

• Alyssa Stoddard leads People Operations at Astronomer and is now known for her shocked expression during the viral clip.

Workplace conduct under fire

As Astronomer faces growing scrutiny, many are calling out the apparent breach of professional boundaries. With both parties holding top HR and leadership roles, their actions may have broader implications for the company's reputation and internal standards.

From jumbotron moment to PR nightmare

In the era of viral content, even a few seconds on camera can unravel personal lives and corporate images. For Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, what should’ve been a private relationship has turned into a very public fallout — with Coldplay playing the accidental whistleblower.