or the first time since a seemingly innocuous “Kiss Cam” moment at a Coldplay concert exploded across the internet and sent shockwaves through the tech industry, former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron is breaking his silence. In an exclusive, candid sit-down interview, Byron opened up not as the executive who once helmed a multi-million-dollar data company, but as a man grappling with the very public collapse of his personal and professional life.

“It was a moment I wish I could take back,” Byron said, his voice measured and quiet, yet visibly weighed down by the recent events. “Not because I got caught. Because people I love were hurt in ways I never intended.”

The incident, which transpired on July 16, 2025, during a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, was initially meant to be a fun night out. However, when the jumbotron’s “Kiss Cam” panned over to Byron and Astronomer’s head of HR, Kristin Cabot, the evening took a dramatic and unforeseen turn. The pair’s awkward attempt to avoid the spotlight—Cabot ducking and covering her face, Byron attempting to pull away and shield himself—only fueled immediate speculation among concert-goers. Within hours, the clip was viral across social media platforms like TikTok and X. Within days, Byron was out of his job, and his marriage was, by his own admission, in pieces.

“I knew the moment that camera hit us, everything had changed,” Byron confessed. “There was no hiding from it. The look on my face probably said more than I could in a thousand words.” Footage obtained by TMZ later showed Byron and Cabot in an embrace, even leaning in for a kiss, prior to realizing the camera was on them.

The fallout was swift and severe. Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, filed for divorce shortly after the incident became public, citing irreconcilable differences. Reports from the New York Post indicate that Megan Kerrigan has already removed “Byron” from her social media profiles and subsequently deleted her accounts, signaling deep personal distress and potential marital separation. When questioned about the breakdown of his marriage, Byron grew visibly emotional.

“She didn’t sign up for this,” he stated, his voice thick with regret. “She didn’t sign up to have our family turned into a punchline. I failed her. I failed us.” He confirmed that the divorce proceedings are moving forward, and that his primary focus now is on being present and accountable for their two children. “They didn’t ask for any of this. They deserve a dad who shows up—not one trending for all the wrong reasons.” Legal experts suggest that under Massachusetts marital laws, Megan Kerrigan could be entitled to a substantial portion of Byron’s estimated $20-70 million fortune, with child support and therapy expenses for the children also being factored into the settlement.

When news of the alleged affair broke, Astronomer’s board of directors acted quickly. Both Byron and Cabot were initially placed on administrative leave, and a formal investigation was launched. Within 24 hours of being placed on leave, Byron tendered his resignation, which the board accepted. Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy has since stepped in as interim CEO.

“I respect the board’s decision. Honestly, I couldn’t lead a company while the spotlight was on my personal life. The distraction wasn’t fair to the team,” Byron stated. He emphasized that at the time of his departure, there was no formal HR policy violation officially confirmed, but he unequivocally acknowledged the immense and damaging optics—especially given the inherent power imbalance between a CEO and a Head of HR. “There’s a responsibility that comes with leadership. I lost sight of that. It’s a lesson I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”

Despite the rapid professional consequences for Byron, the status of Kristin Cabot’s employment at Astronomer remains ambiguous. As of current reports, she remains on leave, and her name is still listed on Astronomer’s “Leadership Page,” unlike Byron’s. Legal experts cited by the New York Post suggest that Astronomer may be navigating complex legal considerations regarding Cabot’s employment, potentially aiming for an exit deal rather than an outright firing to avoid legal risk, or acknowledging that Cabot may have her own version of events not yet public.

Byron maintains he harbors no hard feelings toward Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, whose off-the-cuff joke during the concert (“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy”) inadvertently added significant fuel to the burgeoning social media firestorm. “I laughed… painfully,” Byron admitted. “Chris didn’t know. How could he? He made a joke to entertain a stadium, and honestly, the irony was just brutal. But I don’t blame him. That moment was mine to own.”

When pressed on what the future holds, Byron didn’t offer a definitive roadmap. “I’m not thinking about titles or startups right now,” he said with a sigh. “I’m thinking about redemption. About trust. About doing the work to become someone my kids can be proud of again.” He paused, then added a reflective thought: “Maybe one day I’ll get to build again. But not until I’ve rebuilt myself.”

This exclusive interview provides a rare glimpse into the raw, painful reality behind a viral moment that captivated millions, drawing laughter and outrage in equal measure. For Andy Byron and his family, however, it is a reality they will live with for a long time to come. In an age of instant internet judgment and unforgiving public downfall, Andy Byron’s story stands as a cautionary tale of impulse, intense public exposure, and the unexpectedly high cost of a few seconds caught on camera, reminding us of the profound and far-reaching consequences that can stem from even a fleeting moment in the spotlight.