In the wake of a viral “kiss cam” moment at a Coldplay concert on July 16, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot have found themselves at the center of a social media firestorm. The incident, which captured Byron and Cabot in a seemingly intimate embrace, has sparked widespread speculation about an alleged affair, drawing intense scrutiny to Byron’s personal life—particularly his marriage to Megan Kerrigan. As public discourse swirls, many online commentators have pitted Cabot against Kerrigan, with sentiments suggesting that Cabot “will never compare” to Byron’s wife. But what fuels this narrative, and what do we know about the two women caught in this controversy?
The Coldplay Concert Incident
During Coldplay’s performance, the event’s kiss cam panned to Byron and Cabot, showing Byron with his arms around his colleague. The pair quickly separated upon realizing they were on the jumbotron, with Byron ducking out of view and Cabot covering her face. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s playful remark, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” amplified the moment, which rapidly went viral, amassing over 45 million views on TikTok and millions more across platforms like X. The clip has since been dubbed “ColdplayGate,” thrusting both Byron and Cabot into the spotlight and raising questions about Byron’s marriage to Megan Kerrigan. WATCH FULL VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/61565480516555/videos/1500094461160948/
Megan Kerrigan: A Respected Educator and Sympathetic Figure
Megan Kerrigan, also referred to as Megan Kerrigan Byron, is an educator based in Massachusetts, serving as the Associate Director of Lower School and the Hope Graham Program Admissions at Bancroft School in Worcester. Her professional work focuses on supporting students with language-based learning differences, reflecting a commitment to inclusive education. Kerrigan, 50, and Byron share two children and reside in Northborough, Massachusetts, where they own a $1.4 million home through a trust. Described as a devoted wife and mother, Kerrigan has maintained a low public profile, with little personal information available beyond her professional role.Following the viral incident, Kerrigan faced a deluge of public attention. Reports indicate she removed “Byron” from her Facebook profile, reverting to Meg Kerrigan, and subsequently deactivated both her Facebook and Instagram accounts on July 17, 2025, after receiving a flood of sympathetic and supportive comments from strangers. Social media users have praised her response as “dignified” and “classy,” with one X user commenting, “What a class act! Go Megan. Get that divorce lawyer and get the money.” This outpouring of support has positioned Kerrigan as a sympathetic figure, with many rallying behind her amid speculation of marital strain.
Kristin Cabot: A Corporate Leader in the Spotlight
Kristin Cabot, 45, joined Astronomer as Chief People Officer in November 2024, bringing over 20 years of human resources experience from tech firms like Proofpoint and Neo4j. Described on her LinkedIn as a “passionate people leader” focused on building award-winning workplace cultures, Cabot was praised by Byron for her “exceptional leadership” in a now-deleted company announcement. Previously married to Kenneth Thornby, with whom she shares at least one child, Cabot finalized her divorce in 2022. Reports also suggest a connection to Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum, though her current marital status remains unconfirmed.Unlike Kerrigan, Cabot’s public-facing role at Astronomer has made her more visible, but her involvement in the kiss cam incident has drawn significant criticism. Social media comments have been harsh, with some questioning her professionalism as Chief People Officer. One X user remarked, “If she’s the Chief People Officer, does she run the misconduct meeting for herself?” The backlash has fueled a narrative that contrasts Cabot’s corporate persona with Kerrigan’s private, family-oriented life.
Why the Comparisons?
The sentiment that “Kristin Cabot will never compare to Megan Kerrigan” appears rooted in public sympathy for Kerrigan as the perceived wronged party. Social media narratives emphasize Kerrigan’s quiet dignity and her role as a dedicated educator and mother, contrasting this with Cabot’s involvement in a public scandal alongside Byron, a married man. The optics of the kiss cam moment—combined with Cabot’s professional proximity to Byron as a colleague—have led to assumptions about her role in the alleged affair, though no definitive evidence confirms such a relationship.Additionally, Kerrigan’s decision to retreat from social media and avoid public comment has been interpreted as a graceful response, further endearing her to online supporters. In contrast, Cabot’s silence, while consistent with Kerrigan’s, is viewed through the lens of her corporate role, where expectations of accountability are higher. The disparity in their public personas—Kerrigan as a private individual and Cabot as a high-profile executive—has amplified these comparisons, with Kerrigan emerging as the more relatable and admired figure in the court of public opinion.
The Broader Context
The incident has sparked broader discussions about workplace ethics, public shaming, and the impact of viral moments on personal lives. Astronomer issued a statement on July 18, 2025, affirming its commitment to its values and announcing a formal investigation by the Board of Directors. On July 19, the company confirmed Byron’s resignation, though neither Byron, Cabot, nor Kerrigan have made public statements. The lack of official comment has left room for speculation, with social media filling the void with memes, support for Kerrigan, and criticism of Byron and Cabot.Critics argue that the public’s rush to judgment may oversimplify a complex situation. While the kiss cam moment suggests familiarity between Byron and Cabot, no concrete evidence confirms an affair. The narrative pitting Cabot against Kerrigan may also reflect societal tendencies to vilify women in workplace controversies while idealizing those seen as victims, a dynamic that overshadows the nuanced realities of all parties involved.
Conclusion
The comparison between Kristin Cabot and Megan Kerrigan stems from a viral moment that has captivated social media, casting Kerrigan as a sympathetic figure and Cabot as a lightning rod for criticism. Kerrigan’s low-profile life as an educator and mother, coupled with her dignified response to public scrutiny, has won her widespread support. Meanwhile, Cabot’s role as a corporate executive and her visibility in the incident have fueled unfavorable perceptions. As the controversy continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the power of public perception in shaping narratives, often at the expense of private truths.
