Kristin Cabot, the Chief People Officer at US-based tech firm Astronomer, has officially resigned days after getting embroiled in a controversy with the company’s former CEO Andy Bryon. Her exit comes after Bryon’s own resignation on July 19, after the now-infamous Coldplay concert kiss cam moment went viral.
Cabot, who was placed on leave after the incident, is no longer with the company, Astronomer confirmed to the BBC. The video, taken at a Coldplay concert near Boston on July 16, showed Cabot and Bryon appearing intimately close on the stadium’s kiss cam, leading to widespread speculation, backlash, and a barrage of memes.
The clip, which captured Coldplay frontman Chris Martin commenting live, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” quickly circulated online, putting the spotlight on the pair. As the camera lingered, Bryon immediately sat down while Cabot turned her face away, attempting to avoid attention. The awkward moment did little to stop the storm that followed.
Both Bryon and Cabot, who are married to other people, became central figures in a global viral moment that soon turned into a corporate crisis. Within days, Astronomer launched an internal investigation and announced leadership changes. Bryon resigned, and Pete DeJoy, the company’s Chief Product Officer, was named interim CEO.
Who is Kristin Cabot?
Cabot joined Astronomer in November 2024 and was previously known in Silicon Valley for her expertise in shaping company culture during periods of rapid growth. Her 20-year career includes leadership roles at Neo4j, ObserveIT and ProofPoint.
Her marriage to Andrew Cabot, linked to the old-money “Boston Brahmin” elite and the Privateer Rum fortune, gave her a notable public profile. Reports say the couple recently purchased a seaside property in Rye, New Hampshire. She was earlier divorced from Kenneth Thornby, with whom she shares a child.
Critics spoke about Cabot’s role in HR, pointing to a conflict of interest and double standards around workplace ethics. Calls for her resignation flooded social media platforms, ultimately leading to her departure from the company.
