The woman at the center of a viral moment from a Coldplay concert is now leveraging the notoriety into a public relations venture. Kristin Cabot, whose reaction during the band’s kiss cam segment sparked widespread speculation and a formal investigation at her workplace, will appear at a public relations event in Washington D.C. On .
The incident unfolded during Coldplay’s performance at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Frontman Chris Martin directed the kiss cam towards Cabot and Andy Byron, the CEO of tech company Astronomer, who were seated together on a VIP balcony. Byron appeared to avoid the camera, while Cabot covered her face, prompting Martin to comment that the pair were “either having an affair or just very shy.” The moment quickly went viral, fueling rumors of an inappropriate relationship between the HR chief and her superior.
The fallout was swift and significant. Astronomer initiated a “formal investigation” into Byron’s conduct, according to a statement released by the company. The board of directors emphasized the company’s commitment to its values and accountability, stating, “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.” The company also confirmed that Alyssa Stoddard, the Senior Director of People, was not present at the concert, addressing speculation that she was the embarrassed third party visible in the footage.
Cabot, who holds the position of head of HR at Astronomer, later revealed the situation was deeply embarrassing. In an interview with the New York Times, she described feeling “so embarrassed and so horrified,” calling the scenario “so cliché and so bad.” However, she also clarified that she and Byron were not having an affair. Cabot explained that they were both separated from their spouses and had not engaged in any behavior warranting reporting to the company prior to the concert. She admitted to having a crush, but maintained that it hadn’t crossed any professional lines.
Further complicating the narrative, new footage surfaced showing Cabot and Byron displaying affection before being singled out by the kiss cam. Images and videos circulating online revealed the pair “smooching” at the concert, prompting comments online suggesting a more intimate relationship than Cabot initially described. One social media user commented, “His wife has 360 proof. Love this for her.”
The initial viral spread of the incident was fueled by Grace Springer, a 28-year-old Coldplay fan who filmed the jumbotron moment. Springer’s footage quickly circulated online, contributing to the widespread attention the story received. Shortly after the incident, the wife of Andy Byron reportedly deleted her Facebook account.
The situation also sparked a separate, though related, controversy. A Reddit post highlighted a New York Times article stating that the incident had been “devastating for entire families.” While the article does not elaborate on the specific family impact, it suggests the repercussions extended beyond the immediate parties involved.
As of today, , it remains unclear what Cabot’s role will be at the upcoming public relations event in Washington D.C. Or how she intends to frame the narrative surrounding the Coldplay concert incident. However, her appearance signals a deliberate effort to capitalize on the notoriety and potentially reshape public perception of the events that unfolded that night. The formal investigation into Andy Byron’s conduct by the Astronomer board remains ongoing, with the company stating they would share additional details “very shortly” in .
The case highlights the potential pitfalls of workplace dynamics intersecting with public life, and the speed with which a seemingly innocuous moment can escalate into a full-blown public scandal in the age of social media. It also underscores the challenges faced by companies in navigating such situations and maintaining a consistent message while protecting both their reputation and the privacy of their employees.
