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Viral moment at Coldplay concert sparks career-ending scandal
Kristin Cabot, former chief people officer at tech firm Astronomer, has broken her silence about the aftermath of a video showing her embracing then-CEO Andy Byron at a July concert in Massachusetts. The clip, which went viral after Coldplay frontman Chris Martin joked about the pair possibly having an affair, led to widespread ridicule, her resignation, and sustained harassment.
Public shaming and professional consequences
Cabot, 53, told The Times she became an internet meme and faced relentless abuse after the video circulated. Within days, Astronomer placed Byron on leave pending an investigation, and both ultimately resigned. Cabot, who was separated from her husband at the time, admitted to acting inappropriately with her boss but denied any sexual relationship, calling the night a "bad decision."
"I took accountability and I gave up my career for that," she said, adding that she has since been labeled "unemployable."
Harassment extends to family, children
Cabot revealed the fallout has been devastating for her family. Her two children, embarrassed by the public scrutiny, now refuse to be seen with her in public. "They're mad at me. And they can be mad at me for the rest of their lives-I have to take that," she told The Times. The harassment included doxxing, death threats, and up to 600 daily calls at its peak.
"The harassment never ended... It's not over for me, and it's not over for my kids."
Kristin Cabot
She described paparazzi staking out her home and receiving threats, including one message stating, "I'm coming for you." Her children feared for their safety, and the family avoided public spaces for months.
Gender dynamics in the backlash
Cabot noted that women were among her harshest critics, with most in-person bullying and abusive messages coming from female accusers. She was labeled a "gold-digger" and accused of sleeping her way to the top, despite her long career in HR. "I worked so hard to dispel that all my life, and here I was being accused of it," she said.
She questioned whether Byron faced comparable abuse, suggesting gender bias played a role in the disproportionate backlash against her.
Company response and aftermath
Astronomer issued a statement after the incident, distancing itself from a fake viral post attributed to Byron. The company emphasized its commitment to accountability, stating, "Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability." Byron resigned shortly after, and the BBC has attempted to contact him for comment without success.
Cabot and Byron briefly exchanged crisis management advice but later cut off contact to facilitate healing. While she has started rebuilding her life-seeking therapy for her children and resuming activities like tennis-she acknowledged the long-term emotional toll.
Moving forward
Cabot's story highlights the lasting impact of viral scandals, particularly for women in professional roles. Despite the internet moving on, she and her family continue to grapple with the consequences of a single, widely mocked moment.
