SHOCKED SILENCE: Privateer Rum CEO Andrew Cabot Quietly Removes Wedding Ring at Industry Gala Just Days After Viral Kiss Cam — But His PR Team Is Hiding One Key Timeline Gap

The saga surrounding Astronomer’s former CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot has taken another dramatic turn, with attention now shifting to Kristin’s husband, Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum. Just days after the viral Coldplay kiss cam incident on July 16, 2025, Andrew Cabot appeared at a spirits industry gala in Boston without his wedding ring, a move that stunned attendees and sparked whispers about the state of his marriage. However, his PR team’s carefully crafted statements have left a glaring timeline gap, raising questions about when Andrew learned of the affair and what he’s hiding. This article delves into the gala incident, the missing ring, and the unanswered questions fueling speculation.

The Coldplay Kiss Cam and Its Aftermath

On July 16, 2025, a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium captured Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot in an intimate embrace on the kiss cam, prompting frontman Chris Martin to quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.” The video, which amassed over 34 million views across platforms like X and TikTok, led to Byron’s resignation on July 19 and both executives being placed on administrative leave. Leaked emails about a mysterious Maine property and a 2022 security video of Cabot wearing Byron’s hoodie further deepened the scandal, suggesting a long-standing affair. Most recently, a deleted Instagram reel from November 2022, allegedly showing Cabot in the Byron family bedroom, intensified public outrage, particularly for Megan Kerrigan Byron, Andy’s wife, who was pregnant at the time.

Kristin Cabot, 52, is married to Andrew Cabot, 52, CEO of Privateer Rum, a Massachusetts-based distillery. The couple, who share a $2.2 million home in Rye, New Hampshire, purchased in February 2025, have been linked since at least 2023, according to property records. Kristin has served as an advisory board member at Privateer Rum since September 2020, a role noted on her now-deleted LinkedIn profile. The kiss cam incident, combined with earlier evidence, has placed their marriage under intense scrutiny, with Andrew’s actions at the gala adding fuel to the fire.

The Gala Incident: A Ringless Appearance

On July 20, 2025, Andrew Cabot attended the New England Spirits Gala, an annual event celebrating craft distilleries, held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. Attendees, speaking anonymously on X, noted that Andrew, typically reserved, appeared subdued and was conspicuously not wearing his wedding ring—a stark contrast to photos from May 2024, where he and Kristin were seen with wedding bands at a family event. One X post from @RumInsider stated, “Andrew Cabot at the gala last night, no ring, no smile. Everyone was whispering. He left early.” The absence of the ring, just four days after the kiss cam video went viral, was interpreted as a public signal of marital discord.

The gala, attended by industry leaders, investors, and media, was a high-profile setting for such a statement. Privateer Rum, known for its premium spirits and historical ties to Andrew’s ancestor, a Revolutionary War privateer, has cultivated a brand image of “transparency, honesty, and purity.” Andrew’s ringless appearance risked tarnishing this narrative, especially as Privateer is expanding distribution to 22 states and seeking new capital. Industry insiders noted a “shocked silence” among attendees, with some speculating that Andrew’s move was a deliberate response to the public humiliation of his wife’s alleged affair.

The PR Team’s Response and the Timeline Gap

Privateer Rum’s PR team issued a brief statement on July 21, 2025, via the company’s website: “Andrew Cabot remains focused on leading Privateer Rum and delivering world-class spirits. We ask for privacy during this time.” The statement avoided any mention of the kiss cam, Kristin’s involvement, or Andrew’s marital status, a silence that has fueled speculation. Notably, the PR team has not addressed when Andrew learned of the affair or whether he was aware of the 2022 incidents, such as the hoodie video or the Instagram reel filmed in what Megan Kerrigan’s friends claim was her bedroom.

This timeline gap—between the 2022 evidence and the July 2025 gala—raises critical questions. Did Andrew know about Kristin’s relationship with Byron before the kiss cam went viral? If so, why did he continue to appear publicly with her, as seen in April 2024 photos at his daughter’s 25th birthday party, where both wore wedding rings? The lack of clarity has led to theories on X, with users like @BostonSleuth suggesting, “Andrew’s PR team is dodging the 2022 stuff. Was he in the dark, or did he know and let it slide until it went public?” Without answers, the public is left to speculate about Andrew’s knowledge and intentions.

Andrew Cabot’s Personal and Professional Stakes

Andrew Cabot, a descendant of an 18th-century rum distiller, founded Privateer Rum in 2011 after a career in tech and education, including roles as COO of Metrix Systems and a Harvard master’s degree in education. His net worth, estimated at $1–10 million, reflects Privateer’s success, with annual revenue reported between $1.8 million and $10 million. The company’s expansion plans and investor pitches emphasize its heritage and authenticity, making Andrew’s personal conduct a potential liability. The gala incident, coupled with Kristin’s advisory role, risks alienating customers and investors who value the brand’s “purity” narrative.

On a personal level, Andrew’s marriage to Kristin, his third, follows divorces in 2013 and 2018. He has two children from his first marriage to Maud Cabot, and Kristin has a child from her previous marriage to Kenneth Thornby, finalized in 2022. Photos from 2024 show them blending their families, but the kiss cam and subsequent leaks have likely strained their relationship. Andrew’s decision to remove his wedding ring suggests a public acknowledgment of trouble, though whether this signals divorce proceedings remains unclear.

Public and Industry Reaction

The gala incident has sparked intense discussion online. X posts range from sympathy for Andrew—“He’s humiliated, poor guy” (@CraftSpiritsFan)—to criticism of his silence: “Why no statement? He’s letting Kristin and Astronomer take all the heat” (@TruthSeekerMA). Industry peers have been more reserved, with one distillery owner telling The Boston Globe anonymously, “Andrew’s always been professional, but this is a PR nightmare. The ring thing didn’t help.” The contrast between Privateer’s brand ethos and the scandal has led to memes juxtaposing its “transparency” slogan with Andrew’s reticence.

The timing of the gala, just days after Byron’s resignation and amid Astronomer’s ongoing investigation, amplifies the stakes. Astronomer, valued at $1.3 billion, is navigating leadership turmoil, with interim CEO Pete DeJoy tasked with stabilizing the company. Kristin’s future at Astronomer remains uncertain, and Andrew’s actions suggest he is distancing himself from her publicly, though no divorce filings have been reported.

The Maine Property and Earlier Leaks

The 2022 leaks—a security video of Kristin wearing Byron’s hoodie and the Instagram reel from the Byron family bedroom—suggest the affair predates her November 2024 hiring at Astronomer. The leaked emails about a Maine property, possibly a retreat for Byron and Cabot, add another layer of intrigue. Given Kristin’s Maine roots and the couple’s New Hampshire home near the Maine border, some speculate that Andrew may have been unaware of the property’s significance. His PR team’s refusal to address these earlier incidents fuels theories that Andrew is concealing his prior knowledge to protect his reputation or Privateer’s brand.

What’s Next?

As of July 21, 2025, Andrew Cabot has not commented further, and Privateer Rum’s social media remains focused on product promotions. Kristin and Byron remain on leave, with Astronomer’s investigation ongoing. The gala’s ringless moment has shifted focus to Andrew, portraying him as both a victim and a figure of mystery. Was his ring removal a spontaneous reaction to betrayal, or a calculated move to signal a break? The timeline gap—particularly what Andrew knew in 2022—remains a critical unanswered question.

The scandal’s impact on Privateer Rum is unfolding. Investors may hesitate as the brand’s authenticity narrative clashes with personal controversy. For Andrew, the path forward involves balancing his company’s growth with the fallout of a very public marital crisis. As X users continue to dissect every detail, from the gala to the Maine house, the tech and spirits industries watch closely, aware that one ringless appearance can ripple far beyond a single night.