Megan Kerrigan drops Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s surname after his viral kiss cam moment with HR head Kristin Cabot sparks outrage and online support.
In the world of high-profile tech leadership, public image often mirrors private life. This has never been truer than in the case of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, whose recent public appearance at a Coldplay concert has ignited controversy, heartbreak, and social media frenzy. A now-viral video showing Byron in an intimate moment with his company’s HR head, Kristin Cabot, has led to a cascade of events — including his wife, Megan Kerrigan, removing his surname from her social media accounts before deleting them entirely. The incident has captured widespread attention and continues to fuel online debateViral Coldplay Moment Sparks Scandal
The incident that sparked the controversy unfolded at a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium. Andy Byron was seen swaying closely with Kristin Cabot, the Chief People Officer at Astronomer, when the stadium’s kiss cam unexpectedly zoomed in on them. The two, seemingly unaware of being filmed, appeared affectionate — an image that quickly went viral.
When they realized the moment was being broadcast on the stadium screen, Cabot covered her face in embarrassment while Byron ducked behind a barrier. The reaction was swift and unforgiving, as thousands of viewers captured the footage and shared it online, questioning the nature of their relationship.
Even Coldplay frontman Chris Martin joked, “Oh what… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy,” causing the stadium to erupt in laughter. But for Megan Kerrigan, Byron’s wife and the mother of his two children, the moment was anything but humorous.
Megan Kerrigan Removes Surname, Deletes Social Media
Soon after the video made its rounds on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), sharp-eyed users noticed that Megan Kerrigan had removed the surname “Byron” from her Facebook profile. This change led to an outpouring of support for her, with one X user commenting:
“Andy Byron’s wife has now dropped her married name on Facebook and left comments open on her Facebook! What a class act! Go Megan. Get that divorce lawyer and get the money.”
Busted!
— Mrs. SpaceX ™️ (@anuibi) July 17, 2025
This backfired real quick.
CEO and HR having an affair and were outed during Coldplay‘s concert 👀
Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot from Astronomer 😬😬😬
Wife‘s Facebook has already been found and people commenting on it. pic.twitter.com/RWgYDVMuaV
The user, known as Mrs. SpaceX, represented the sentiments of many netizens who rallied behind Megan during the fallout.
Later that same day, Megan deleted her Facebook and Instagram accounts altogether. However, screenshots confirmed that she had removed her married name before deactivating, signaling a decisive move to distance herself from the scandal.
Who Is Megan Kerrigan?
Before becoming entangled in this media storm, Megan Kerrigan Byron was known as an accomplished educator. She serves as the Associate Director of the Lower School and Admissions for the Hope Graham Program at the Bancroft School in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Megan’s dedication to education and child development earned her respect in academic circles. But now, her name is trending for reasons far removed from her professional achievements. Social media has become a platform for public empathy, with one user posting:
“Am genuinely sad for Meg Kerrigan and the Byron sons. They didn’t deserve this, and I hope they recover quickly and fully from the inevitable hurt Andy Byron has caused them.”
Public Backlash Against Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot
As the video continued to circulate, online users didn’t hold back. Comments criticizing both Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot flooded platforms like X, Reddit, and Facebook.
“Who would trust Andy Byron when his own wife can’t even trust him?”
“What’s worse — finding out your spouse is cheating or that they’re a fan of Coldplay?”
Others were more biting:
“I will never trust anyone from HR again.”
“They look happy. Leave them alone. Their personal life is none of your business.”
While some defended the duo, the overwhelming tone online was one of betrayal, outrage, and disappointment — particularly toward Byron, who was seen as violating both marital and professional trust.
Andy Byron Issues Public Apology
In response to the viral backlash, a statement surfaced online that appeared to be from Andy Byron himself. It read:
“What was supposed to be a night of music and joy turned into a deeply personal mistake playing out on a very public stage… I sincerely apologize to my wife, my family, and the team at Astronomer.”
Despite the apology, the damage seemed irreversible. Byron’s LinkedIn account was deactivated shortly after, and a previous post praising Kristin Cabot was quietly removed. These moves were seen by many as an attempt to minimize the professional consequences of the scandal.
Byron’s Career and Net Worth
Andy Byron became CEO of Astronomer in July 2023. Headquartered in New York, Astronomer is a data infrastructure startup best known for its Astro platform — a DataOps solution built for managing Apache Airflow workflows.
Before joining Astronomer, Byron held executive roles at several tech companies, including:
- President at Lacework (2019–2022)
- Chief Revenue Officer at Cybereason (2017–2019)
- President & COO at Fuze
- Executive positions at Vericenter and BMC Software
As of May 2025, Astronomer raised $93 million in funding, with backing from Bain Capital and Salesforce. Based on typical equity stakes held by CEOs in private startups, Byron’s estimated net worth ranges between $12 million and $65 million.
Who Is Kristin Cabot?
Kristin Cabot is the Chief People Officer at Astronomer and the woman at the center of the viral kiss cam video. Until now, she had maintained a relatively low profile within the industry.
Following the scandal, her role at the company has come under scrutiny, as many questioned the ethics of such a relationship between a CEO and his HR head. However, as of now, no official action has been announced by Astronomer’s board regarding either of the executives.
Astronomer: The Company in Question
Astronomer is a New York-based tech firm focused on simplifying data workflow management. Its flagship product, Astro, helps organizations automate and streamline Apache Airflow deployments. The company has quickly become a leader in DataOps, especially after securing substantial funding and partnering with major enterprise clients.
But with its CEO and CPO now embroiled in a public scandal, questions are being raised about leadership stability and corporate governance.
Netizens Rally Behind Megan
Online platforms have become spaces of solidarity for Megan Kerrigan and her children. From calls for justice to words of encouragement, the internet seems united in support of her. One user wrote:
“Andy Byron’s wife is absolutely gorgeous. What an incredible fool to do this to her! Heart chain for Megan.”
Another added:
“She deserves better. Period.”
Personal and Professional Fallout
What began as a seemingly light-hearted moment at a concert has evolved into a deeply personal and professional crisis for Andy Byron, Megan Kerrigan, and Astronomer as a whole. While Byron has issued an apology and taken down his online profiles, the backlash continues.
Megan Kerrigan’s quiet but resolute actions — removing her husband’s surname, deactivating her social media, and enduring public scrutiny with grace — have earned her admiration from thousands. Whether or not the couple proceeds with legal separation, this scandal marks a dramatic turning point in their lives and careers.
As for Astronomer, the company must now navigate the rocky aftermath of a PR nightmare — with investors, employees, and the public watching closely.
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