Insider Claims: Andy Byron’s Apology Letter Was Not Written by Him — Private PR Firm Drafted It to Avoid Lawsuit from Megan Kerrigan

On July 16, 2025, a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Boston became the epicenter of a viral scandal that rocked the tech world. Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was caught on the jumbotron’s “kiss cam” in a close embrace with the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, sparking widespread speculation of an extramarital affair. The moment, amplified by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” went viral, amassing millions of views across platforms like TikTok and X. The fallout was swift: Byron resigned, his wife Megan Kerrigan Byron faced public humiliation, and a purported apology letter attributed to Byron circulated online. Now, insider claims suggest that this letter was not written by Byron himself but was crafted by a private PR firm to mitigate potential legal action from Megan Kerrigan, raising questions about authenticity, corporate damage control, and the personal toll of public scandals.

The Coldplay Concert Incident

The incident unfolded during Coldplay’s performance when the kiss cam captured Byron and Cabot in an intimate moment. As the camera lingered, the pair quickly separated—Byron ducked out of frame, and Cabot turned away, shielding her face. The crowd’s reaction, fueled by Martin’s playful comment, turned a private moment into a public spectacle. Social media erupted, with users identifying Byron and Cabot, noting that Byron was married to Megan Kerrigan and that both he and Cabot held high-ranking positions at Astronomer, a New York-based AI and data company valued at over $1.3 billion. The video’s virality—45 million views on TikTok alone—intensified scrutiny on Byron’s personal and professional life.

Astronomer responded decisively. On July 18, the company announced a formal investigation, and by July 19, both Byron and Cabot were placed on leave, with co-founder Pete DeJoy appointed as interim CEO. The following day, Astronomer confirmed Byron’s resignation, stating, “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.” The company also debunked a viral apology letter attributed to Byron, calling it a fabrication. This statement, however, has now come under scrutiny as insiders claim it was a calculated move by a PR firm to protect Byron and Astronomer from legal repercussions.

The Alleged Apology Letter

The apology letter, which surfaced on X shortly after the incident, was shared by a now-suspended account under the pseudonym “Peter Enis CBS News.” Styled as an official press release dated July 17, 2025, it read:

I want to acknowledge the moment that’s been circulating online, and the disappointment it’s caused. What was supposed to be a night of music and joy turned into a deeply personal mistake playing out on a very public stage. I want to sincerely apologize to my wife, my family, and the team at Astronomer. You deserve better from me as a partner, as a father, and as a leader. I’m taking time to reflect, to take accountability, and to figure out the next steps, personally and professionally. I ask for privacy as I navigate that process. I also want to express how troubling it is that what should have been a private moment became public without my consent. I respect artists and entertainers, but I hope we can all think more deeply about the impact of turning someone else’s life into a spectacle. As a friend once sang: ‘Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you.’

The letter’s polished tone and Coldplay lyric reference raised suspicions. Astronomer’s spokesperson, Taylor Jones, confirmed to Men’s Journal that it was not a real statement, and X Community Notes flagged it as a hoax. However, insider sources now allege that the letter was drafted by a private PR firm hired by Astronomer or Byron to deflect potential legal action from Megan Kerrigan, who was reportedly considering a divorce and substantial alimony claims.

Insider Claims: A PR Firm’s Involvement

According to sources close to Astronomer, the company engaged a crisis management PR firm shortly after the video went viral. The firm, whose identity remains undisclosed, allegedly crafted the apology to present Byron as remorseful and to shift some blame to the public nature of the incident, citing the lack of consent in broadcasting the moment. The goal was twofold: to mitigate damage to Astronomer’s reputation as a “unicorn” startup and to preempt a potential lawsuit from Megan Kerrigan, who could leverage New York’s divorce laws to secure a significant settlement given Byron’s estimated $60–70 million net worth and the absence of a public prenuptial agreement.

Legal experts suggest that Megan could claim spousal support, asset division, and a portion of Byron’s stock options in Astronomer. The public humiliation and viral nature of the scandal could strengthen her case, especially as she reportedly faced a deluge of sympathetic and critical comments on her Facebook page before deactivating it. The insider claims indicate that the PR firm’s strategy was to portray Byron as taking accountability, potentially softening Megan’s legal stance and reducing the likelihood of a high-profile lawsuit that could further damage Astronomer’s brand.

Megan Kerrigan’s Response and Public Sympathy

Megan Kerrigan Byron, an educator and Associate Director at the Bancroft School in Massachusetts, became an unwilling focal point of the scandal. Hours after the video surfaced, she removed “Byron” from her Facebook handle and deactivated her account, which had been flooded with comments like, “Sorry you’re going through this,” and “Get that divorce lawyer.” Her Instagram account was also deleted, signaling her desire to retreat from the public eye. A statement attributed to her circulated on social media, expressing her humiliation and intent to divorce, but its authenticity is unverified, and sources suggest it may have been another fabrication.

Public sentiment has largely sided with Megan, with netizens praising her dignity and urging her to seek justice. Comments on X and other platforms reflect a mix of empathy for her and criticism of Byron and Cabot, with some calling for accountability under Astronomer’s workplace ethics policies. The scandal has also revived scrutiny of Byron’s leadership, with former employees citing a “toxic” work environment during his tenure at previous companies like Cybereason.

Astronomer’s Corporate Fallout

Astronomer’s swift action—placing Byron and Cabot on leave and accepting Byron’s resignation—signals the company’s attempt to contain the damage. The appointment of Pete DeJoy as interim CEO and the board’s investigation underscore the seriousness of the incident’s impact on corporate culture. Questions have arisen about workplace ethics, particularly given Cabot’s role as Chief People Officer. Some X users speculated that other employees may have been aware of the alleged affair, pointing to a third person in the video who was later confirmed not to be an Astronomer employee.

The company’s valuation and reputation are at stake, especially as it navigates a competitive AI and data market. The PR firm’s alleged involvement suggests a strategic effort to protect Astronomer’s brand, but the fake apology’s exposure may have backfired, drawing further attention to the scandal.

Critical Examination of the Narrative

While the insider claims about the PR firm’s involvement are plausible, they remain unverified, and the lack of transparency from Astronomer and Byron fuels speculation. The fake apology’s rapid spread highlights the power of social media to amplify unverified information, and the PR firm’s alleged role raises ethical questions about manufacturing narratives to avoid legal consequences. Megan Kerrigan’s silence, beyond her social media actions, leaves room for doubt about her intentions regarding a lawsuit. The public’s rush to judgment, while empathetic, may oversimplify a complex personal and professional situation.

Conclusion

The “ColdplayGate” scandal illustrates the intersection of personal missteps, corporate accountability, and the viral nature of modern media. Insider claims that a PR firm drafted Andy Byron’s apology letter to avoid a lawsuit from Megan Kerrigan add a layer of intrigue, suggesting a calculated effort to manage the fallout. As Astronomer moves forward with a new interim CEO and Megan navigates her next steps, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of public exposure in the digital age. Whether the apology was genuine or a PR fabrication, the damage to Byron’s reputation, his marriage, and Astronomer’s culture is undeniable, leaving a lasting impact on all involved.