HR Executive in Viral Coldplay Video Speaks Out About Abuse, Threats and Career Fallout

An HR executive who became the focus of a viral moment at a Coldplay concert has spoken publicly about the abuse, threats and professional consequences she says followed the incident.

Kristin Cabot, the former chief people officer at US tech firm Astronomer, appeared on a stadium screen in July embracing the company’s then chief executive, Andy Byron, during a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The pair were seen swaying to the music before quickly ducking away from the camera, prompting Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to joke to the crowd that they were either “having an affair” or were “very shy”.

The clip spread rapidly online, turning both executives into internet memes. Within days, Astronomer announced that Mr Byron had been placed on leave pending an investigation, before later confirming his resignation. Ms Cabot also stepped down from her role.

In interviews with The Times and The New York Times, Ms Cabot said the public reaction has had a lasting impact on her life. She described facing sustained online harassment, threats and intense scrutiny, adding that she has struggled to secure new employment and has been told she is “unemployable”.

“The harassment has never ended,” she said, explaining that while online attention quickly shifted elsewhere, the personal consequences for her and her family persisted. Ms Cabot said she received threatening messages, including one from someone who claimed to know her routine and wrote: “I’m coming for you”.

She said her children were deeply affected by the fallout, becoming fearful for their safety and reluctant to attend school or public events with her. According to Ms Cabot, her private details were shared online, leading to hundreds of calls a day at the height of the controversy, along with dozens of death threats.

Ms Cabot denied having a sexual relationship with Mr Byron and said the two had never kissed. She acknowledged acting inappropriately on the night of the concert, saying she had been drinking and exercised poor judgement, but stressed that she took responsibility by leaving her role.

She also questioned whether the backlash was evenly distributed, suggesting she bore the brunt of the criticism. Ms Cabot said she was subjected to sexist abuse and accusations that she had advanced her career through improper means, claims she strongly rejected.

Astronomer later issued a statement confirming Mr Byron’s resignation, saying company leaders were expected to uphold high standards of conduct and accountability. Mr Byron has not commented publicly on the matter, and a statement that circulated online shortly after the incident was later confirmed to be fake.

Ms Cabot said she has since begun therapy for her children and is slowly resuming everyday activities, though she described the experience as deeply traumatic. She added that she and Mr Byron had brief contact following the incident but agreed to stop communicating to allow everyone involved to move forward.

The episode has reignited debate about online shaming, workplace power dynamics and the disproportionate impact of viral scandals on women in senior roles.