Kristin Cabot Denies Involvement After 16 Emails Leak – But Timestamp Match with Andy Byron’s ‘Apology Draft’ Folder Raises Questions

The “ColdplayGate” scandal, which erupted after Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot were caught in a compromising moment on a Coldplay concert kiss cam on July 16, 2025, has taken a dramatic new turn. Following Byron’s resignation on July 18, just 36 hours after the viral video surfaced, a new development has deepened the intrigue: a leak of 16 internal emails allegedly involving Cabot, who has publicly denied any romantic involvement with Byron. However, one email’s timestamp aligns suspiciously with a draft apology found in Byron’s email folder, raising questions about what’s really going on behind the scenes at Astronomer, a New York-based data infrastructure company valued at over $1.3 billion.

The Email Leak: What We Know

On July 19, 2025, posts on X claimed that 16 internal emails from Astronomer’s servers had been leaked, purportedly showing communications between Cabot and various company stakeholders. While the full contents of these emails remain unverified and have not been publicly released in their entirety, snippets shared on social media suggest they include discussions about the Coldplay incident, workplace policies, and damage control strategies. One X post described the emails as “a mix of HR protocol updates and panicked exchanges,” with some allegedly referencing the kiss cam video and its fallout.

Cabot, who joined Astronomer as Chief People Officer in November 2024, issued a statement on July 19 via her LinkedIn profile, denying any romantic involvement with Byron. “The assumptions made about my relationship with Andy Byron are baseless and rooted in a misunderstanding of a professional interaction caught out of context,” she wrote. “I remain committed to my role at Astronomer and to fostering a transparent and ethical workplace.” Her statement, however, did not directly address the leaked emails, which has fueled further speculation.

The most explosive revelation is the claim that one of the leaked emails, sent by Cabot, has a timestamp matching a draft apology found in Byron’s email folder. According to unverified X posts, this draft was an early version of the fake apology letter that circulated online shortly after the scandal broke, which Astronomer debunked on July 18. The fake letter, falsely attributed to Byron, expressed regret for a “deeply personal mistake” and quoted Coldplay’s “Fix You.” The timestamp match suggests that Cabot may have been involved in crafting or reviewing this draft, contradicting her public denial of any deeper involvement.

What’s Inside the Leaked Emails?

While the full contents of the 16 emails have not been made public, partial excerpts shared on X provide some insight. One alleged email from Cabot to an unnamed board member, dated July 17, reportedly discusses the need for a “unified response” to the kiss cam incident, emphasizing the importance of protecting Astronomer’s reputation. Another snippet, purportedly from an email chain involving Cabot and Byron, mentions a “sensitive matter” that needed to be addressed “discreetly.” These fragments, though unverified, have led online sleuths to speculate that Cabot was actively involved in managing the scandal’s fallout, possibly in coordination with Byron.

The email with the matching timestamp, allegedly sent by Cabot on July 17 at 3:42 PM ET, is said to contain a discussion about drafting a public statement. According to an X post, the email references “wording that aligns with Andy’s tone” and includes a suggestion to “acknowledge the moment without admitting fault.” This closely mirrors the language of the fake apology letter, which included phrases like “a deeply personal mistake playing out on a very public stage.” The timestamp of this email reportedly matches a draft in Byron’s email folder labeled “Apology_Draft_v2,” which was accessed around the same time. While it’s unclear whether Cabot authored the draft or merely reviewed it, the connection has raised eyebrows, especially given her public claim of a strictly professional relationship.

The Timestamp Connection: Coincidence or Conspiracy?

The alignment of the email timestamp with Byron’s apology draft has sparked intense debate online. Some X users argue it’s evidence of a coordinated effort between Byron and Cabot to manage the scandal, potentially undermining Cabot’s denial of involvement. One post speculated, “If Kristin Cabot was just a colleague, why was she in on the apology draft? That timestamp match isn’t random.” Others suggest the connection could be coincidental, noting that as Chief People Officer, Cabot would naturally be involved in crisis communications, especially given her HR role.

The draft apology itself, though debunked as fake by Astronomer, offers clues about the intended narrative. It reportedly included lines like, “I want to sincerely apologize to my wife, my family, and the team at Astronomer,” and blamed the public exposure on Coldplay’s kiss cam, stating, “I respect artists, but I hope we can all think more deeply about the impact of turning someone else’s life into a spectacle.” The similarity between this language and the alleged email from Cabot suggests a collaborative effort to shape public perception, even if the final statement was never released.

Megan Kerrigan’s Role and the Boardroom Fallout

The scandal has also drawn attention to Megan Kerrigan, Byron’s wife, who reportedly made a stunning appearance at an Astronomer board meeting on July 18, presenting evidence that suggested Byron and Cabot’s relationship predated her hiring. While the leaked emails do not directly reference Megan, some speculate that her discovery of the apology draft or related communications may have prompted her bold move. X posts claim that Megan’s evidence included a 2022 diary entry by Byron titled “I Met Her in Atlanta,” accompanied by a GPS screenshot, which allegedly corroborates a longer timeline for the affair. If true, this could explain why the board moved swiftly to place both Byron and Cabot on leave and accept Byron’s resignation.

Megan’s actions have garnered widespread sympathy online, with many praising her for taking a stand. One X user wrote, “Megan Kerrigan walked into that boardroom and flipped the script. If those emails show what people are saying, she’s got every right to demand accountability.” However, without access to the full emails, it’s unclear whether they contain direct evidence of an affair or merely reflect professional discussions about the scandal’s fallout.

Astronomer’s Response and the Investigation

Astronomer’s board has remained tight-lipped about the email leak, reiterating its July 18 statement that both Byron and Cabot are on leave pending a formal investigation. The company appointed co-founder Pete DeJoy as interim CEO and has promised to share more details “as appropriate.” A spokesperson also debunked earlier claims that Senior Director of People Alyssa Stoddard was involved in the kiss cam video, clarifying that “no other employees were present” at the concert. The company has not commented on the leaked emails or the timestamp connection, which has frustrated online observers seeking clarity.

Workplace Ethics and Public Backlash

The email leak and timestamp match have intensified scrutiny of Cabot’s role as Chief People Officer. Her LinkedIn bio, which boasts of “winning trust with employees of all levels,” has been mocked online, with one user commenting, “Trust with CEOs, maybe a bit too much.” The situation raises broader questions about workplace relationships, particularly when they involve senior executives. Experts note that such dynamics can erode trust in HR processes and create perceptions of favoritism, especially given Cabot’s responsibility for overseeing workplace ethics.

Public sentiment has largely sided with Megan Kerrigan, with many criticizing Byron and Cabot for their apparent lack of discretion. The viral nature of the scandal, amplified by the 45 million views of the kiss cam video on TikTok, has turned it into a global spectacle, with Google searches for Astronomer reaching an all-time high, according to Axios. The leak of the emails and the timestamp connection have only added fuel to the fire, ensuring that “ColdplayGate” remains a topic of heated discussion.

What’s Next?

As the investigation continues, the authenticity of the leaked emails and the significance of the timestamp match remain critical questions. If verified, the emails could provide concrete evidence of a coordinated response between Byron and Cabot, potentially contradicting her denial of involvement. For now, neither executive has issued further public statements, and Astronomer’s silence on the leak has left room for speculation to flourish.

The scandal’s impact on Astronomer’s reputation, valued at over $1.3 billion, is undeniable. The company’s ability to navigate this crisis will depend on the investigation’s findings and how it addresses concerns about workplace ethics. Meanwhile, Megan Kerrigan’s reported boardroom intervention and the email leak have shifted the narrative, suggesting that the truth behind “ColdplayGate” may be far more complex than a fleeting moment on a jumbotron.