When the kiss cam panned to two people in the crowd at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts on July 16, no one watching—including Chris Martin—could’ve guessed it would lead to a tech company’s leadership unraveling in public view. As the couple onscreen embraced and the singer quipped, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” the clip exploded on TikTok and beyond, amassing more than 60 million views in just a few days.

From HR chief to headline

It didn’t take long for internet sleuths to identify the pair as Andy Byron, the CEO of Ohio-based data company Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer. The video didn’t just create a viral moment—it triggered a full internal investigation and set off a media firestorm about workplace ethics, executive accountability, and power dynamics.

Byron resigned within three days, according to the company’s board and confirmed by The San Francisco Chronicle on July 19. But for the rest of that week, silence surrounded Kristin Cabot, sparking endless speculation.

Then, on July 24, Page Six confirmed what many had been waiting for: Cabot had officially resigned. “Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer. She has resigned,” a company spokesperson said. No other statement was released.

Her role, her silence

Kristin Cabot had joined Astronomer less than a year earlier, in late 2024, stepping into the role of Chief People Officer during a time of expansion. A press release from CEO Andy Byron at the time praised her experience and vision for building “a more values-aligned culture.” That same culture became the center of scrutiny after the kiss cam moment.

While Byron’s resignation dominated initial headlines, it’s Cabot’s exit that leaves behind a more complex conversation. As head of HR, she wasn’t just any executive—she was responsible for setting and enforcing the company’s code of conduct. Her role wasn’t simply operational; it was symbolic. That duality made her resignation more than a response to a viral scandal—it raised the question of whether she could have credibly stayed in a role tasked with upholding workplace ethics.

Adding another layer, Page Six also reported that Cabot is married to Andrew Cabot, the CEO of Privateer Rum, a well-known name in craft spirits. Neither she nor her spouse have made public statements, and there have been no verified posts from Kristin on any of her social platforms since the incident.

Public reaction, private fallout

What’s striking isn’t just how quietly she left, but the contrast between the public’s reaction to the two executives. Byron became a symbol of a fallen CEO, his resignation expected and covered as a leadership scandal. Kristin Cabot, meanwhile, became something murkier—part of the same viral moment but harder to categorize. Was she equally accountable? A scapegoat? Or simply collateral in a moment where professional and personal boundaries collided?

“The optics are harder when you’re the head of HR,” one workplace culture consultant told The Guardian, “because whether or not you violated policy, perception becomes reality when you’re charged with safeguarding company ethics.”

Astronomer has not disclosed any further disciplinary actions. In the meantime, the company has named co-founder Pete DeJoy as interim CEO. There’s no word on who will take over HR leadership or how the company plans to address internal trust.

What remains is a sharp reminder of how quickly personal choices—captured by a lens and magnified by the internet—can reshape careers and reputations, especially for those charged with protecting workplace integrity.