ASTRONOMER CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot have reportedly been put on leave after being caught allegedly cheating at a Coldplay gig.
The pair were caught off guard when they flashed up on the kiss cam big screen – wrapped in each other’s arms – with 55,000 people at Boston’s Gillette Stadium watching.
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CEO Byron is reportedly negotiating an exit package as he and Cabot have been put on leave, sources told Axios.
Astronomer said in an official statement that they have launched a probe into the CEO allegedly getting caught cheating with co-worker Cabot at the concert.
But sources told Axios that the pair were immediately put on leave following the embarrassing, viral incident.
The tech company earlier posted on LinkedIn: “Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.
“The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”
The company went on to say how no other employees were in the viral video.
Byron also hadn’t put out any statement and “reports saying otherwise are all incorrect,” the statement said.
Astronomer co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is now serving as interim CEO, as the firm tries to stabilise after days of chaos and public scrutiny.
“We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days,” Astronomer said in a statement.
Fake apology statements — falsely attributed to Byron and Coldplay — have flooded social media, with one viral hoax even claiming the band would introduce “camera-free audience sections for people and their sidepieces.”
One man also claimed he was fired from Astronomer for buying the Coldplay tickets that allegedly exposed the affair — though that, too, appears unverified.
Former employees were said to be “laughing their a** off” after Byron was caught canoodling with Cabot.
The incident reportedly sparked glee among Byron’s ex-staffers, a former direct report told The New York Post.
They said: “The text groups and chains of former employees are like… everybody’s laughing their a** off and enjoying the hell out of what happened and him getting exposed.”
The insider described Byron as a “sales-obsessed” executive who was allegedly “toxic” in the workplace.
Panicked Byron and Cabot – who both have families of their own – were seen rushing for cover after being left red-faced in the packed stadium.
Their reaction to being filmed has caught the world’s attention – with millions now talking about the alleged affair.
Footage of Coldplay’s Chris Martin cringing at the pair as they both rush to hide their faces emerged.
The star said through laughter: “I don’t know what to do.
“Oh s***, I hope we didn’t do something bad.”
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In the original footage that went viral, the band’s frontman joked that the caught-out pair were either “having an affair, or they’re just very shy”.
As the camera panned to the duo during Wednesday night’s show, the Viva La Vida singer said: “Oh look at these two.”
Seconds later, Byron – who is married – dropped his arm from around Cabot and quickly ducked behind a barrier, while she covered her face with her hands.
Martin then delivered the now-famous zinger: “Oh what… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”
Neither CEO Byron nor HR chief Cabot – who is understood to be divorced – has so far spoken out on the sordid event.
The Coldplay fan who filmed the jaw-dropping moment has told The U.S. Sun she never meant to cause a scandal – but stands by sharing the footage.
She said: “I had no idea who the couple was. Just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it.
“A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but, play stupid games… win stupid prizes.”
Even longer footage has since dropped, showing the full reaction of panicked “mistress” Kristen Cabot.
Byron has been CEO of Astronomer – valued at over $1.3billion – since July 2023.
Cabot, who goes by Kristin Cabot Thornby on LinkedIn, joined as Chief People Officer nine months ago.
When Cabot was appointed, Byron called her a “proven leader” with “exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management.”
Cabot previously boasted on her LinkedIn profile that she “wins trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants.”
The Sun has approached Astronomer for comment.
