The HR “Trust Builder” Got Caught Building Something Else
Well, folks, we’ve got another perfect example of corporate virtue signaling blowing up in real life—this time on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert. Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his “people strategist” Kristin Cabot were caught mid-snuggle in front of 55,000 fans, 45 million TikTok viewers, and—oh yeah—their spouses.
Let’s talk about how a moment meant for a love song turned into a country ballad about divorce lawyers and Facebook deletions.
Trust-Building: HR Style
Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s Chief People Officer, bragged on LinkedIn about how she “wins trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants.” Turns out, her winning strategy was wrapping her arms around the CEO at Gillette Stadium while his wife watched it unfold online.
This wasn’t some youthful mistake at a dive bar—this was two married corporate leaders embracing in full stadium glory. Byron praised her in press releases for “exceptional leadership” and “passion for fostering collaboration.” Guess they collaborated a little too well.
The Fallout at Home
While Byron and Cabot were ducking out of camera view like teenagers caught in mom’s basement, the real victims were sitting at home. Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, didn’t just remove her last name from Facebook—she deleted her entire account after being inundated with comments about the affair.
Think about that: you’re married, raising kids, and your husband gets caught on a kiss cam with his HR exec while Coldplay’s Chris Martin cracks jokes about “having an affair or being shy.” It’s devastating. And Cabot’s ex-husband? He probably feels vindicated seeing the “trust builder” at it again, two years post-divorce.
The Internet Is Ruthless—And Right
Social media isn’t pulling punches. Former Astronomer CEO Ry Walker quickly distanced himself, saying he has “no information on ColdplayGate.” Meanwhile, commenters are roasting Byron for trading his career, 401(k), and marriage “for a Coldplay concert.” Even Byron’s LinkedIn account went MIA—perhaps an early exit strategy.
But let’s not pretend this is harmless gossip. This was betrayal on a global stage. Two families wrecked. A company’s reputation torched. All because two high-level execs thought rules didn’t apply in the VIP section.
Corporate Elites and Their Double Standards
This scandal exposes a broader issue: corporate elites who preach ethics, inclusivity, and “people first” values—while privately undermining the very trust they claim to build. Byron and Cabot’s behavior wasn’t just unprofessional; it’s a reminder that the elite class operates on “do as I say, not as I do.”
And now Astronomer, a $1 billion startup, has to deal with the collateral damage of leadership caught in a literal embrace of hypocrisy.
What Comes Next?
As of now, neither Byron nor Cabot has issued a public statement. A fake apology from Byron was circulating online, but Astronomer quickly shut it down. The company remains silent, hoping the news cycle moves on. But with millions of TikTok views and hashtags like #ColdplayGate trending, don’t count on it.
This isn’t just office drama; it’s a workplace ethics case study. And sadly, it’s the families—especially Megan Byron and Cabot’s ex—left picking up the pieces while the canoodlers hide behind PR teams.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to laugh at the awkwardness of two execs scrambling off a kiss cam. But let’s not forget the real fallout: broken trust, broken homes, and a company forced to reassess what kind of “leadership” it’s actually rewarding.
At the end of the day, Coldplay’s “Yellow” lyrics probably feel a little too close to home for everyone involved: “Your skin, oh yeah, your skin and bones…” Yeah, and now your marriage too.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
Find more articles like this at steadfastandloyal.com.
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
Leave a Comment