The internet is a wild place. One minute you’re enjoying a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, and the next, your face is plastered across every TikTok feed and news site from New York to New Delhi. That is exactly the reality Kristin Cabot woke up to in July 2025. People aren't just curious about the gossip; they want to know the professional fallout. Specifically: did Kristin Cabot resign, or was she pushed out of her high-level role at the tech startup Astronomer?
She resigned. It’s official.
But the "how" and "why" are much messier than a simple HR filing. It wasn't just a quiet exit after a bad day at the office. This was a full-blown corporate crisis triggered by a 16-second "kiss cam" segment at Gillette Stadium. Cabot, who served as Astronomer's Chief People Officer, was spotted in a very cozy embrace with her boss, CEO Andy Byron.
The Viral Moment That Ended a Career
Most people go to concerts to blow off steam. Kristin Cabot and Andy Byron probably thought they were just two colleagues (or more) enjoying some music. Then the jumbotron found them.
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The footage was brutal. As the camera lingered, Chris Martin even joked over the microphone that they were "either having an affair or very shy." When they realized they were being broadcast to tens of thousands of people, they panicked. Byron ducked. Cabot covered her face. It was the "oh no" moment heard 'round the world.
Within 48 hours, the clip had millions of views. For a company like Astronomer—a data orchestration startup that usually flies under the radar of mainstream media—this was a PR nightmare of epic proportions. You've got the person in charge of "People and Culture" (Cabot) caught in a compromising public moment with the CEO. The optics weren't just bad; they were catastrophic for a workplace that preaches ethics and professional boundaries.
Did Kristin Cabot Resign Under Pressure?
Technically, yes, she resigned. But the timeline matters.
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- July 16, 2025: The Coldplay concert happens.
- July 19, 2025: CEO Andy Byron resigns after the board puts him on leave.
- July 24, 2025: Astronomer officially confirms Kristin Cabot has resigned.
Basically, the company was in a tailspin. Pete DeJoy, the co-founder, had to step in as interim CEO just to keep the lights on and the investors calm. While Byron was out almost immediately, Cabot’s exit took a few more days. Some people speculated she was negotiating a severance package or trying to see if she could weather the storm. Honestly, being the Head of HR in that situation is an impossible spot. How do you discipline employees for workplace boundary issues when you’re the face of a viral "kiss cam" scandal?
In a later interview with The New York Times in December 2025, Cabot was pretty candid. She admitted to a "lapse in judgment" and mentioned a "couple of High Noons" (those canned hard seltzers) might have contributed to the dancing and the vibe. She also clarified that while the company actually asked her to stay after their internal investigation, she felt she couldn't.
"I could not imagine how I could stand up as H.R. chief when I was a laughingstock," she told the Times.
She felt she had to give up her career as the price for that one night. It’s a heavy cost for a few seconds of footage.
The Aftermath of the Resignation
Life after a viral scandal isn't easy. Cabot described being doxxed, receiving hundreds of calls a day, and even facing death threats. She went from a respected tech executive to a "meme" overnight.
Currently, she has described herself as "unemployable."
It makes sense if you think about it from a hiring manager's perspective. If you hire a Chief People Officer, you’re hiring someone to be the moral compass of the company. When a Google search of your name brings up a scandal involving a married CEO and a stadium jumbotron, that "compass" looks a bit broken to recruiters.
Why the Industry is Still Talking About It
This isn't just about tea and gossip. It’s a massive case study in corporate governance.
- Power Dynamics: Even if the relationship was consensual, the power imbalance between a CEO and a CPO is a legal minefield.
- Digital Permanence: In 2026, nothing stays in the stadium. Everything is recorded, uploaded, and analyzed.
- The "HR" Double Standard: As Cabot pointed out, she felt she was judged more harshly than Byron because of her specific role in HR.
What Happens Next?
If you're looking for lessons here, they're pretty clear. First, the "personal" and "professional" lines have basically dissolved in the age of smartphones. Second, if you're in a high-visibility leadership role, your "off-duty" behavior is never actually off-duty.
For Kristin Cabot, the focus now seems to be on rebuilding a life outside the corporate C-suite. She has spoken about wanting her kids to know that people make mistakes and can survive them. Whether she ever returns to a "Chief People Officer" role remains to be seen, but for now, the tech world has moved on to its next drama, leaving her to figure out what a "Version 2.0" of her career looks like.
To stay updated on the legalities of workplace relationships or how to manage a professional crisis, you should keep an eye on recent NLRB rulings regarding "conduct unbecoming" and standard severance negotiation tactics in the tech industry. Checking the latest updates on LinkedIn (if she ever returns to the platform) or following major business news outlets will give you the most accurate picture of her next professional move.