TLDR: Andy Byron, CEO of the AI and DataOps company Astronomer, has resigned following a viral incident at a Coldplay concert where he was caught on a ‘kiss cam’ with the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, sparking widespread speculation of an affair.
Andy Byron, the Chief Executive Officer of Astronomer, a prominent DataOps and AI company, has tendered his resignation, which the company’s Board of Directors has accepted. The decision comes in the wake of a highly publicized incident at a Coldplay concert on July 16, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, involving Byron and Astronomer’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot.
The incident unfolded when the stadium’s ‘kiss cam’ focused on Byron and Cabot, who were seen embracing. Upon realizing they were on the jumbotron, both individuals quickly attempted to hide their faces, a moment that was captured and rapidly went viral across social media platforms. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin even light-heartedly remarked during the show, ‘Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.’
Astronomer, a company valued at over $1.3 billion, confirmed Byron’s departure in a statement, emphasizing its commitment to company values. ‘Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,’ the company stated. Prior to this week, Astronomer was recognized as a ‘pioneer in the DataOps space, helping data teams power everything from modern analytics to production AI.’ The company acknowledged the sudden shift in public awareness but affirmed that its core mission and product offerings remain unchanged.
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Following the viral footage, both Byron and Cabot were initially placed on leave pending a formal investigation. With Byron’s resignation, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy will assume the role of interim CEO while the board initiates a search for a permanent replacement. The scandal has not only impacted Byron’s professional standing but also brought his personal life into the public eye, including his wife, Megan Kerrigan, an education professional who reportedly removed her husband’s surname from her online profiles after the incident.
