The Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on the evening of July 17, 2025, turned into an unexpected public relations disaster for Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, igniting a scandal that has reverberated across social media. A “Kiss Cam” moment captured Byron, 50, in a close embrace with Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot, 49, prompting Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to quip, “Oh look at these two… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.” The viral footage, seen by approximately 60,000 attendees and millions online, has thrust Byron’s personal life into the spotlight, particularly affecting his wife, Megan Kerrigan. In a striking response, Megan has removed “Byron” from her social media profiles and enabled public comments, signaling a significant shift amid the alleged infidelity incident. As of 11:35 AM on July 18, 2025, the unfolding drama continues to dominate discussions, raising questions about marriage, corporate leadership, and public accountability.

The incident occurred during a lively segment of Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour, where the “Kiss Cam” traditionally encourages couples to share a peck for the crowd’s amusement. When the camera focused on Byron and Cabot, their initial smiles turned to panic—Byron ducked behind a barrier, while Cabot covered her face, drawing laughter and gasps from the audience. Martin’s spontaneous remark, meant as humor, instead exposed what many interpret as an affair, given Byron’s marriage to Megan and their two children. The video spread rapidly on TikTok, X, and Instagram, amassing millions of views within hours, with fans and critics dissecting every frame. Byron, who has led Astronomer—a $1.3 billion data orchestration firm—since July 2023, and Cabot, hired as Chief People Officer in November 2024, now face intense scrutiny over their professional and personal conduct.

Megan Kerrigan, 50, an educator at Bancroft School in Massachusetts where she serves as Associate Director of Lower School and Hope Graham Program Admissions, has traditionally maintained a low profile. The couple resides in Northborough, near the concert venue, and has kept their family life private until this incident. Following the video’s release, Megan’s social media presence became a focal point. Reports indicate she removed “Byron” from her Facebook and Instagram handles, changing them to “Megan Kerrigan,” a move interpreted by many as a public distancing from her husband. Additionally, she enabled public comments on her profiles, a departure from her previous privacy settings, allowing a flood of messages—some supportive, others critical—to pour in. Posts found on X suggest this shift occurred overnight, with users noting, “She’s letting the world weigh in,” reflecting her apparent openness to public sentiment.

The social media reaction has been overwhelming. Megan’s Facebook page, before she temporarily deactivated it, was inundated with comments ranging from sympathy—“You don’t deserve this, stay strong”—to outrage directed at Byron—“How could he do this to such a kind person?” One user wrote, “Megan, you’re a queen for handling this with grace,” while another speculated, “This is her way of saying it’s over.” The enabled comments feature allowed strangers to engage directly, with some offering legal advice and others sharing personal stories of infidelity, creating a virtual support network. Her Instagram, briefly reactivated with the updated name, mirrored this trend before going private again, suggesting a struggle to manage the attention. The public outpouring underscores the personal toll, with many viewing her name change as a silent statement amid the chaos.

Byron’s background adds context to the fallout. With a 20-year tech career including roles at Lacework, Cybereason, and Fuze, he built Astronomer into a unicorn startup, recently securing $93 million in funding. Cabot, with over two decades in HR at firms like Proofpoint and Neo4j, was praised by Byron for her cultural leadership upon joining. Their professional synergy, once a strength, now appears compromised, with employees and investors questioning workplace ethics. The presence of another colleague, Alyssa Stoddard, smiling in the video’s background, has fueled rumors of awareness within Astronomer, prompting calls for an internal investigation. The company has yet to issue an official statement, leaving the narrative to unfold online.

Megan’s response contrasts with the couple’s silence. While Byron and Cabot have not commented, her social media adjustments suggest a deliberate move to reclaim agency. Posts found on X indicate she may have been unaware of the affair until the video surfaced, with one user noting, “Imagine waking up to this betrayal trending worldwide.” Her role at Bancroft School, focused on inclusive education, has earned her respect locally, and colleagues have reportedly rallied around her, though the school has declined to comment. The name change, while not legally binding, aligns with trends among spouses distancing themselves during public scandals, as seen in past cases like Elin Nordegren during Tiger Woods’ 2009 controversy.

The incident has broader implications for Astronomer. Valued at over $1.3 billion since 2022, the firm’s reputation could suffer as clients and partners reassess their ties. Former employees have resurfaced complaints about Byron’s “toxic” leadership, allegations now amplified by the concert moment. Cabot’s LinkedIn claim of building “trust with employees of all levels” has become a target of irony, with users mocking the disconnect. The lack of a corporate response suggests a strategic pause, possibly to navigate legal or reputational risks, but it has left stakeholders in limbo, with some demanding Byron’s resignation.

Chris Martin’s role has drawn mixed reactions. His quip, intended as entertainment, inadvertently exposed a private moment, a scenario complicated by his own 2022 restraining order against a stalker targeting him and Dakota Johnson. Coldplay has remained silent, focusing on their July 18 Glendale, Arizona, show, but the incident has overshadowed their performance. Some defend Martin, arguing he couldn’t have known the individuals’ identities, while others blame him for escalating the situation, a sentiment echoed online.

The public’s response reflects a blend of empathy and judgment. Sympathy for Megan dominates, with messages on her dormant social media lamenting her public humiliation. Criticism targets Byron and Cabot, with X users questioning their judgment in a public setting. Humor abounds, with quips like “Cheating or Coldplay fandom—pick your poison,” turning the incident into a meme fest. The “Coldplaygate” hashtag has trended, with Megan’s name change fueling narratives of empowerment and betrayal.

Megan’s decision to enable comments may signal a desire for support or a way to gauge public opinion. Psychologists suggest such moves can reflect a need to process public shaming, though it risks further exposure. Her educational background suggests resilience, but the sudden spotlight—amplified by her husband’s $20-70 million net worth, including $12-65 million in Astronomer equity—adds pressure. The couple’s children, though unnamed publicly, have become indirect victims, prompting calls for media restraint.

As of July 18, 2025, the story remains fluid. Megan’s social media shift has not confirmed a separation, but it has intensified speculation. Byron’s future at Astronomer hangs in the balance, with no official action announced. The concert, meant to celebrate music, has instead become a lens on fame, technology, and marital strain, with Megan’s response shaping the narrative as much as the original incident.