The fallout from the now-infamous Coldplay concert moment continues to linger at Astronomer, the software company whose CEO and HR head were caught embracing on a kiss cam during a show in Boston. (Also read: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron Resigns After Coldplay Incident; Successor Search Underway)
Andy Byron, who resigned as CEO shortly after the incident, had been seen on-screen with Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s head of HR. The footage—brief but widely circulated—sparked immediate speculation about a possible affair, especially as both individuals are reportedly married.
Astronomer placed both Byron and Cabot on leave and announced an internal investigation. Byron stepped down from his role in the days that followed. But questions remain about Cabot’s status.
She has not been fired.
Why? Legal experts say the answer lies in the difference between public reaction and corporate protocol.
“You can’t just fire someone because the headlines are ugly,” one attorney told the New York Post.
The implication is that unless there’s evidence of policy violations—something like misuse of power, workplace favoritism, or breach of ethics—an employer has to move carefully. Paper trails matter.
“If HR greenlit what happened with Coldplay, and there’s a supporting paper trail, heads will likely roll,” the same attorney added. “It just might take a few more days before the axe drops.”
Another legal voice was more blunt.
“Look for a definition of ‘cause’ in the workplace and you’ll find this situation,” said a second expert. “The head of HR having a public moment like this with the CEO? It’s hard to see her staying on in that position.”
ALSO READ | Coldplay Concert Scandal: CEO Andy Byron Resigns, Families Caught in Fallout
Still, they acknowledged that even if termination is justified, reaching an agreement on the terms of departure could complicate things. Severance, non-disparagement clauses, and exit language are all part of that process.
Douglas Wigdor, founding partner of Wigdor LLP, offered another angle. He suggested the public might not have the full picture.
“Maybe there’s more to the story from her,” he told NY Post. “It’s a short video, so it’s hard to know what exactly is going on. Maybe there’s context we don’t have.”
Since the incident, Cabot has deactivated her LinkedIn profile and remained silent. No formal statement has been released from her side.
Astronomer, too, has not offered any recent updates. The investigation appears to be ongoing.
For now, Kristin Cabot is still an Astronomer employee. But that could change—quickly or quietly.
