“I QUIT… for her” — Andy Byron Steps Down After 6-Year Tenure as Astronomer CEO Amid Secret Footage Scandal

The “ColdplayGate” scandal, which began with a viral kiss cam moment at a Coldplay concert on July 16, 2025, has reached a fever pitch with the official resignation of Andy Byron as CEO of Astronomer, a New York-based data infrastructure company valued at over $1.3 billion. Byron’s abrupt departure on July 18, after a six-year tenure that included roles before becoming CEO in July 2023, was confirmed by Astronomer following a board-led investigation into his conduct. The announcement comes on the heels of a leaked video allegedly showing Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot kissing during a “business trip,” intensifying speculation about their relationship. Megan Kerrigan, Byron’s wife, has responded in a way that has left the internet and Astronomer’s boardroom stunned, cementing her as a central figure in this unfolding drama.

The Resignation: “I Quit… for Her”

On July 18, 2025, Astronomer announced that Andy Byron had resigned as CEO, with co-founder Pete DeJoy appointed as interim CEO. The company’s statement, posted on X and LinkedIn, cited a commitment to “upholding our values and culture” but did not explicitly reference the kiss cam incident or the newly surfaced footage. However, posts on X, including one from @nypost, suggest that Byron’s resignation was influenced by mounting pressure from the viral scandal and internal board dynamics. The phrase “I QUIT… for her,” circulating online, appears to be a sensationalized headline rather than a direct quote from Byron, but it has fueled speculation that his decision was tied to his relationship with Cabot.

Byron’s tenure at Astronomer was marked by significant achievements, including leading the company to “unicorn” status in 2022 with a valuation exceeding $1 billion and achieving a 100% increase in annual recurring revenue in FY2025, according to IndiaTimes. His leadership roles at Lacework, Cybereason, and Fuze had established him as a respected figure in the tech industry. However, the scandal has overshadowed these accomplishments, with former employees describing him as a “toxic” boss, according to a New York Post report.

The Secret Footage: A Business Trip Revelation

The latest twist in the saga is a leaked video, first reported by @nypost on July 19, 2025, allegedly showing Byron and Cabot kissing during a “business trip.” Unlike the Coldplay kiss cam footage, which captured them in a public embrace at Gillette Stadium, this new video is said to depict a more private moment, raising questions about the nature and timeline of their relationship. Details about the video’s origin, including the location and date of the alleged business trip, remain unverified, but X posts speculate it could be linked to the 2022 diary entry titled “I Met Her in Atlanta” or the mysterious “Paris trip” referenced in a debunked apology letter.

The claim that the footage was filmed during a business trip has amplified concerns about workplace ethics, particularly given Cabot’s role as Chief People Officer, responsible for enforcing HR policies. Social media users have questioned whether the relationship influenced Cabot’s hiring in November 2024, with one X post stating, “Business trip kiss? Sounds like HR was more about personal strategy than people strategy.” The video’s emergence has also reignited discussions about a previously leaked GPS screenshot and diary entry, which allegedly place Byron at an Atlanta hotel in 2022, suggesting a longer-term relationship with Cabot.

Megan Kerrigan’s Unreal Reaction

Megan Kerrigan, a 50-year-old educator at Bancroft School in Massachusetts and mother of Byron’s two children, has become a sympathetic figure amid the scandal. After the kiss cam video went viral, she removed “Byron” from her Facebook profile and deactivated her social media accounts, actions that sparked widespread support online. Comments on her now-deleted page included messages like, “I really hope she’s surrounded by people who love her,” and calls for her to “get that divorce lawyer,” according to Newsweek and Times of India.

Her most striking response, however, came during a reported boardroom appearance on July 18, just before Byron’s resignation. According to unverified X posts, Megan presented evidence—possibly the 2022 diary entry, GPS screenshot, or even the new business trip footage—that suggested Byron and Cabot’s relationship predated her hiring at Astronomer. This “unreal” move, described by one user as “Megan dropping the hammer,” reportedly shifted the board’s perspective, leading to Byron’s swift exit. Sources on X claim she may have also referenced the “Paris trip” from the debunked apology letter, implying that Byron’s deception extended beyond the Coldplay incident.

Megan’s actions have been hailed as a masterclass in composure and accountability. One X post noted, “Megan Kerrigan didn’t just sit back—she walked into that boardroom and changed the game.” With Byron’s estimated net worth between $20 million and $70 million, according to BollywoodShaadis, speculation about a potential divorce settlement has intensified, with users suggesting Megan could secure a significant financial outcome.

Kristin Cabot’s Denial and the Email Leak

Kristin Cabot, who joined Astronomer in November 2024 after leading HR at Neo4j, has denied any romantic involvement with Byron, calling the kiss cam moment a “misunderstood professional interaction” in a July 19 LinkedIn statement. However, the leak of 16 internal emails, one with a timestamp matching a draft apology in Byron’s email folder, has cast doubt on her narrative. The email, allegedly sent by Cabot on July 17 at 3:42 PM ET, discusses crafting a statement that “aligns with Andy’s tone,” mirroring the language of a debunked apology letter that referenced the “Paris trip.”

The new business trip footage further complicates Cabot’s position, as it suggests a level of intimacy beyond what was captured at the concert. Social media has been unforgiving, with users mocking her LinkedIn claim of “winning trust with employees of all levels.” One X post quipped, “HR chief caught kissing the CEO on a business trip? Trust is definitely broken.” Cabot’s marital status remains unclear, with reports indicating she divorced Kenneth Thornby in 2022 but may be married to Andrew Cabot, a rum company CEO.

Astronomer’s Response and Industry Fallout

Astronomer’s board has placed both Byron and Cabot on leave pending a formal investigation, with no further comment on the leaked footage or emails. The company’s July 18 statement emphasized its commitment to its values and debunked earlier fake apologies, including the 2 AM letter mentioning the “Paris trip.” The appointment of Pete DeJoy as interim CEO signals a move to stabilize leadership, but the scandal has raised questions about workplace culture at a company known for its Astro platform and high-profile clients in banking and media.

Former employees have fueled the narrative of a troubled workplace, with one telling the New York Post, “The text groups of ex-staffers are loving this. He’s finally exposed.” The scandal has also drawn comparisons to other high-profile corporate controversies, with X users referencing Elon Musk’s personal scandals as a benchmark for public reaction.

Public Reaction and the Global Debate

The scandal, dubbed “ColdplayGate,” has generated over 45 million TikTok views and millions more on X, with hashtags like #ColdplayGate trending globally. The new business trip footage has intensified public outrage, with users divided between condemning Byron and Cabot for their alleged affair and defending their right to privacy. One X post stated, “A business trip kiss doesn’t justify this witch hunt. Let them live.” Others, however, see it as a betrayal of trust, with a user commenting, “Cheating with the HR chief on a work trip? That’s a new low for corporate ethics.”

Megan Kerrigan has emerged as a folk hero, with her boardroom move and social media actions celebrated as acts of empowerment. Polymarket estimates a 24% chance of divorce announcements from both Byron and Cabot by August 31, reflecting the public’s investment in the saga.

Conclusion: A Scandal That Redefines Accountability

The leak of secret footage allegedly showing Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot kissing on a business trip has transformed “ColdplayGate” from a viral moment into a full-blown corporate and personal crisis. Byron’s resignation after six years at Astronomer marks the end of a chapter for the company, while Megan Kerrigan’s bold response has shifted the narrative, casting her as a figure of strength and resolve. As the investigation into the executives’ conduct continues, the unanswered questions—about the business trip, the Paris trip, and the true nature of Byron and Cabot’s relationship—ensure that this scandal will remain a global talking point, redefining discussions about leadership, ethics, and the consequences of public exposure.