Kristin Cabot, the head of human resources at software firm Astronomer, is facing renewed attention online after a video of her and the company’s CEO, Andy Byron, went viral during a Coldplay concert.
The footage, now widely shared, shows the pair sitting together when a kiss cam pans to them. Byron immediately ducks out of view. Cabot hides her face with her hands and turns away from the camera. The moment prompted Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin to joke on stage, “Oh, what … either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”
Now, comments Cabot made in past LinkedIn posts have resurfaced. In one, she wrote, “I lead by example and win trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants.” The remark, posted long before the concert incident, is drawing new attention.
Cabot had also referenced Byron by name in a post about her work at Astronomer. “I have been energized in my conversations with Andy Byron and the Astronomer leadership team about the opportunities that exist here, including aiding our employees’ career development,” she wrote.
Also Read: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron Accused of Toxic Behavior After Viral Kiss Cam Moment
She described her approach to HR as “people strategy” rather than traditional human resources. “The real magic happens when you align the people strategy with the business strategy,” the post added.
Byron, too, had offered praise when Cabot joined the company. “She is a proven leader at multiple growth-stage companies, and her passion for fostering diverse, collaborative workplaces makes her a perfect fit for Astronomer,” he said in a statement at the time.
They may be staying quiet, but the internet isn’t. The incident, now widely known as “Coldplaygate,” has forced a public conversation that goes far beyond office gossip.
People are now debating everything from the blurry lines of workplace relationships to what real transparency from leaders should look like.
The resurfaced posts have only added fuel. Some viewers interpret them as innocuous reflections on professional leadership. Others, though, see them differently now.
Neither Byron nor Cabot has responded publicly to questions about the concert footage or its broader implications.
