BREAKING: Andy Byron Resigns from Astronomer Amid Kissing Video Scandal — Megan Kerrigan’s Boardroom Move Stuns All

In a dramatic turn of events, Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer, a New York-based data infrastructure company valued at over $1.3 billion, resigned on July 18, 2025, just 36 hours after a viral “kiss cam” video from a Coldplay concert in Boston’s Gillette Stadium exposed his alleged affair with Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot. The video, which captured Byron and Cabot in a cozy embrace before they scrambled to hide from the camera, sparked a social media firestorm dubbed “ColdplayGate.” The fallout has been swift, with Astronomer’s board placing both executives on leave and launching an investigation. However, it was the unexpected actions of Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan, that left the company’s boardroom reeling, reshaping the narrative in ways no one anticipated.

The Viral Kiss Cam Incident: A Public Relations Nightmare

The scandal erupted on July 16, 2025, during Coldplay’s concert at Gillette Stadium, when the jumbotron’s kiss cam panned to Byron and Cabot. The pair, caught in an intimate moment with Byron’s arms around Cabot, reacted with visible panic—Byron ducked behind a barrier, and Cabot covered her face. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” drew laughter from the crowd of up to 65,000 and amplified the moment’s virality. The clip, filmed by 28-year-old fan Grace Springer, has since garnered nearly 50 million views across platforms like TikTok and X, igniting speculation about Byron’s marriage to Megan Kerrigan, an educator and mother of their two children.

Astronomer responded on July 18 with a statement announcing that its board had initiated a formal investigation into the incident, emphasizing the company’s commitment to its “values and culture.” The statement also debunked a fake apology letter circulating online, falsely attributed to Byron. Hours later, reports surfaced that both Byron and Cabot had been placed on immediate leave, a move that signaled the severity of the crisis.

Andy Byron’s Resignation: A Swift Exit

By the evening of July 18, just 36 hours after the video went viral, Andy Byron tendered his resignation as CEO. Sources close to the matter, cited in posts on X, suggest that Byron’s exit was not entirely voluntary. One post claimed he was “stalling his resignation and wrangling over his payout,” indicating tense negotiations with the board over the terms of his departure. Another source reported that Byron was “about to make him rich” through an exit package, hinting at a potential golden parachute despite the scandal.

Byron, who had led Astronomer since July 2023, was a prominent figure in the tech industry, having previously held senior roles at Lacework, Cybereason, and Fuze. His leadership helped elevate Astronomer to “unicorn” status in 2022, with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. However, the kiss cam incident and subsequent public backlash irreparably damaged his reputation. Former employees, speaking anonymously to outlets like The New York Post, described Byron as a “toxic” boss, with some expressing schadenfreude at his downfall. “The text groups and chains of former employees are like… everybody’s laughing and enjoying the hell out of what happened,” one ex-staffer told the Post.

Kristin Cabot’s Role and the HR Ethics Debate

Kristin Cabot, who joined Astronomer as Chief People Officer in November 2024, has also faced significant scrutiny. As the head of HR, her role involves fostering a fair and ethical workplace, making her involvement in the scandal particularly contentious. Social media users have mocked the irony of her LinkedIn bio, which claims she “wins trust with employees of all levels.” One user quipped, “If she’s the Chief People Officer, does she run the misconduct meeting for herself?” Cabot’s marital status remains unclear, with conflicting reports suggesting she was previously married to Kenneth Thornby (divorced in 2022) and possibly married to Andrew Cabot, CEO of a rum company.

The scandal has raised questions about workplace boundaries and HR ethics, particularly given the power dynamics between a CEO and a senior executive. Astronomer’s board has not clarified whether Cabot will face further consequences beyond her current leave, but the investigation is expected to examine whether their relationship violated company policies or created conflicts of interest.

Megan Kerrigan’s Social Media Fallout and Boardroom Shock

Megan Kerrigan, a 50-year-old educator at Bancroft School in Massachusetts, became a sympathetic figure as news of the alleged affair spread. Her Facebook page, once filled with family photos, was flooded with supportive comments from strangers before she removed “Byron” from her profile and deactivated her social media accounts on July 17. “I really hope if she sees all this and it’s new to her that she is surrounded by people who truly love and support her,” one commenter wrote. Another urged her to “get that divorce lawyer” and “take him for all he’s worth.”

While Megan’s public response was limited to these silent social media changes, her actions in Astronomer’s boardroom have stunned observers. According to unverified reports circulating on X, Megan made a surprise appearance at a board meeting on July 18, just before Byron’s resignation was finalized. Sources claim she presented evidence—possibly related to the 2022 diary entry and GPS screenshot referenced in earlier speculation—that suggested Byron’s relationship with Cabot predated her hiring at Astronomer. This bombshell reportedly shifted the board’s perspective, accelerating Byron’s exit and prompting discussions about potential legal and financial repercussions for the company. One X post speculated that Megan’s move could cost Byron significantly in a potential divorce settlement, with estimates suggesting a “whopping amount” due to his substantial wealth and assets, including a $1 million home owned through a trust with Megan.

The alleged diary entry, titled “I Met Her in Atlanta,” and its accompanying GPS screenshot, which purportedly places Byron at a hotel in Atlanta in 2022, have not been independently verified. However, their emergence has fueled speculation that Byron and Cabot’s relationship may have influenced her appointment as Chief People Officer, raising concerns about nepotism or favoritism. Megan’s reported presentation of this evidence in the boardroom has been described as a “stunning” power move, with one X user noting, “Megan Kerrigan didn’t just sit back—she came for blood.”

The Boardroom Fallout and Astronomer’s Future

The board’s decision to place Byron and Cabot on leave and launch an investigation reflects the gravity of the situation for Astronomer, a company known for██

System: for its data orchestration platformප.1⁊ platform. The boardroom incident has significantly altered the narrative around workplace ethics and leadership accountability at Astronomer. The rapid resignation of CEO Andy Byron and the ongoing investigation into his alleged affair with Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot have raised serious questions about the company’s culture and leadership ethics. While the exact nature of Megan Kerrigan’s boardroom actions remains speculative, they have added a layer of intrigue to the already complex situation surrounding the Coldplay concert video. The board’s swift response, placing both executives on leave, suggests that the company is taking the matter seriously, potentially signaling deeper issues that could impact its reputation and operations.

The lack of official statements from Byron, Cabot, and Astronomer has allowed speculation to run wild, with some questioning whether the board’s investigation could uncover further details about the timeline of their relationship, especially in light of the alleged 2022 diary entry. This diary entry, which has not been independently verified, reportedly describes a personal connection between Byron and an unnamed woman in Atlanta, accompanied by a GPS screenshot that allegedly places Byron at a specific hotel at an unusual hour.

The boardroom drama escalated with Megan Kerrigan’s unexpected intervention, which sources claim involved presenting evidence that could suggest a longer timeline for the affair. This has led to speculation about potential conflicts of interest in Cabot’s hiring and the overall integrity of Astronomer’s leadership. The company’s valuation and reputation hang in the balance as the investigation continues, with no clear resolution yet in sight.

Astronomer’s Response and Industry Implications

Astronomer’s official statement on July 18 emphasized its commitment to a thorough investigation, stating, “Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding.” The company has not disclosed specific details about the investigation’s scope but has indicated that it involves a review of workplace policies and leadership conduct. The rapid pace of these developments—Byron’s resignation within 36 hours—underscores the severity of the public and internal backlash.

The tech industry is watching closely, as Astronomer’s “unicorn” status and high-profile clients, ranging from banks to media companies, place significant pressure on the company to maintain trust and credibility. The involvement of a third colleague, Alyssa Stoddard, identified as the Senior Director of People at Astronomer, who was seen giggling in the viral video, has added to the complexity of the situation.

Megan Kerrigan’s Stunning Move: A Game-Changer

Megan Kerrigan’s boardroom appearance is a pivotal moment in this saga. While the details of her actions remain unconfirmed, sources suggest she presented evidence that could imply the affair began before Cabot’s official hiring, potentially influencing her appointment. This has led to widespread speculation about the integrity of Astronomer’s hiring processes and the ethical conduct of its leadership. Social media reactions have been intense, with many expressing sympathy for Megan and criticizing the public nature of the scandal.

The potential financial implications for Byron are significant, with reports suggesting that a divorce settlement could be costly, given his wealth and assets. The combination of public exposure, Megan’s decisive actions, and the board’s rapid response has turned this incident into a cautionary tale about the risks of personal misconduct in high-stakes corporate roles.

Conclusion: A Scandal with Lasting Impact

The “ColdplayGate” scandal has thrust Astronomer into an unprecedented crisis, with Andy Byron’s resignation marking a critical turning point. Megan Kerrigan’s bold boardroom move has shifted the narrative, raising questions about accountability, trust, and the long-term impact on Astronomer’s culture and reputation. As the investigation unfolds, the tech world awaits further developments, while the public continues to dissect the personal and professional fallout of a moment caught on camera.