Kristin Cabot Resigns Following Coldplay Concert Incident

US tech company Astronomer has announced the resignation of its Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, following a widely publicized incident at a Coldplay concert. The event, which took place near Boston, Massachusetts, involved a “kiss cam” moment where Ms. Cabot was seen embracing former CEO Andy Byron. The footage quickly went viral on social media, leading to significant public attention and speculation about their relationship.

Background of the Incident

On July 16, during a Coldplay concert, the “kiss cam” captured Ms. Cabot and Mr. Byron in an embrace on the arena’s jumbo screen. The pair’s reaction—suddenly ducking and hiding—prompted Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin to humorously comment on their behavior. This moment sparked widespread interest online, with internet users identifying the duo and sharing the video extensively.

Company’s Response and Investigation

In response to the viral video and ensuing rumors of an affair between Ms. Cabot and Mr. Byron, Astronomer initiated an internal investigation. Although the company did not explicitly reference the video in its announcement, it placed Mr. Byron on leave pending the outcome of the probe. Shortly thereafter, on July 20, Mr. Byron resigned from his position as CEO.

Leadership Changes at Astronomer

Following these developments, Astronomer co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy has assumed the role of interim CEO. The company has begun searching for a permanent replacement for Mr. Byron while maintaining its focus on delivering data analytics and artificial intelligence solutions to its clients.

Impact on Astronomer’s Public Image

The incident has unexpectedly increased public awareness of Astronomer, with the company acknowledging that its profile has been elevated overnight due to the controversy. Despite this shift in attention, Astronomer remains committed to its core mission of assisting customers with AI challenges.