Los Angeles, CA & Foxborough, MA – July 23, 2025 – Two high-profile scandals involving workplace relationships and public exposure have drawn comparisons in recent weeks: the 2022 Ned Fulmer cheating scandal with The Try Guys and the 2025 Coldplay concert incident involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron. Both cases highlight the intersection of personal misconduct, professional consequences, and the amplifying power of social media, though their specifics and outcomes differ significantly.
Ned Fulmer and The Try Guys: A Brand Shattered by Betrayal
In September 2022, The Try Guys, a YouTube comedy group founded by Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang, faced a crisis when Fulmer, known as the “wife guy” for his family-man persona, was exposed for an extramarital affair with Alexandria Herring, an associate producer at their company, 2nd Try LLC. The scandal broke when fans spotted Fulmer and Herring engaging in public romantic behavior, including kissing at a New York City bar, prompting a Reddit user to share evidence online.
The Try Guys, with 8 million YouTube subscribers at the time, had built a brand on positive, non-toxic masculinity, with Fulmer’s identity tied to his devotion to his wife, Ariel, and their two sons, Wesley and Finn. The affair, which Fulmer confirmed as a “consensual workplace relationship” that had been ongoing for months, shattered this image and raised concerns about workplace ethics, as Fulmer was a co-owner and Herring’s superior.
On September 16, 2022, after an internal review involving employment lawyers and HR professionals, Habersberger, Kornfeld, and Yang signed a consent form to remove Fulmer as a manager and employee of 2nd Try LLC. The group announced his departure on September 27, citing “conduct unbecoming of our team.” Fulmer issued a statement apologizing for the pain caused to his family, colleagues, and fans, vowing to focus on his marriage. Ariel Fulmer also requested privacy for their family. The Try Guys edited Fulmer out of existing footage, deeming some videos “unreleasable,” costing the company significant revenue.
The scandal sparked intense online backlash, with fans expressing shock and betrayal, amplified by memes, TikTok analyses, and a controversial “Saturday Night Live” sketch that some criticized for downplaying the power imbalance between Fulmer and Herring. The affair ended Herring’s engagement to her fiancé, Will Thayer, and both she and Fulmer have since maintained low profiles. Fulmer now runs Fulmer Media Inc., working with brands like Target and Google, but has not been active on social media since 2022.
Coldplay Concert Kiss Cam: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s Public Misstep
On July 16, 2025, during a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a viral moment unfolded when the jumbotron’s “Kiss Cam” captured Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot in an intimate embrace. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin jokingly remarked, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy,” as the pair awkwardly ducked from view. The video, posted on TikTok by concertgoer Grace Springer, amassed over 58 million views, fueling speculation of an affair, as online sleuths identified Byron and Cabot, noting that Byron is married with two children.
Astronomer, a New York-based tech firm, swiftly responded, placing Byron on leave and appointing co-founder Pete DeJoy as interim CEO. The company’s board launched a formal investigation, emphasizing its commitment to “conduct and accountability.” A fake apology statement attributed to Byron circulated online but was debunked. The incident also prompted Byron to deactivate his LinkedIn profile, while his wife, Megan Kerrigan, removed her surname from her Facebook profile.
Public reaction was swift and merciless, with social media users creating memes and celebrating the exposure of alleged infidelity. Some compared the incident to Fulmer’s scandal, noting the workplace ethical dilemmas in both cases. Unlike Fulmer, who admitted to the affair, neither Byron nor Cabot has publicly confirmed a relationship, and Astronomer clarified that no other employees were involved in the video.
Comparing the Scandals: Similarities and Differences
Workplace Power Dynamics: Both scandals involve executives in relationships with subordinates, raising ethical concerns. Fulmer, as a co-owner of 2nd Try LLC, and Byron, as CEO of Astronomer, held significant authority over Herring and Cabot, respectively, highlighting potential power imbalances. The Try Guys’ swift action to remove Fulmer was driven by these concerns, while Astronomer’s ongoing investigation suggests a similar focus on workplace integrity.
Public Exposure and Social Media: Both incidents were propelled by online sleuthing and viral content. Fulmer’s affair was exposed through fan-shared images on Reddit, while Byron and Cabot’s moment was amplified by a TikTok video. Social media fueled public outrage and schadenfreude in both cases, with users creating memes and dissecting the scandals. However, the Coldplay incident’s jumbotron exposure added a unique layer of public humiliation.
Professional Consequences: Fulmer was permanently removed from The Try Guys, losing his role and public presence, while Byron’s fate remains uncertain pending Astronomer’s investigation. The Try Guys’ decisive action contrasted with Astronomer’s interim measures, reflecting different stages of resolution. Fulmer’s brand was irreparably damaged due to his “wife guy” persona, whereas Byron’s case centers more on corporate governance than personal branding.
Personal Impact: Both scandals affected families, with Fulmer’s wife and children facing public scrutiny and Byron’s wife and children similarly exposed. However, Fulmer’s affair was confirmed, while allegations against Byron remain unverified, complicating the narrative. Ariel Fulmer expressed a desire to work on her marriage, while no public statements have come from Byron’s or Cabot’s families.
Cultural Commentary: The Try Guys scandal sparked discussions about toxic masculinity and accountability, with fans praising the group for upholding their values. The Coldplay incident has fueled debates about digital surveillance and the ethics of public shaming, with some criticizing the internet’s gleeful reaction. An X user drew parallels, stating, “It’s not the cheating that was the main issue with the Coldplay Affair situation though—it’s the workplace ethical dilemma. Similar issue with Ned from the Try Guys.”
