Source Insists: CEO and the Exec Seen Together at the Coldplay Concert “Were Not in a Relationship” The Scandal Has Been “Devastating for Entire Families” (Exclusive)

A source close to Christine Cabot said, “These are real people with real families. The way people treated this as if it were entertainment was incredibly hurtful.”

Two months after former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron appeared with Cabot at a Coldplay concert, a source close to her has come forward to clarify what happened that night.

During the July 16 concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Byron, 51, was seen embracing Cabot, 53, before attempting to hide from the camera after being caught on camera by what is known as the “kiss cam.”

Once they realized they were on screen, Cabot covered her face as Byron tried to hide from view.

The odd reaction prompted Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin to say from the stage, “Oh, look at these two. All right, c’mon, you’re okay.”

He then jokingly added, “Oh, what? Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

The scene went viral, but those close to Cabot insist that what was shown on screen did not tell the whole story.

At the time, Cabot was already separated from her husband, Andrew, and filed for divorce in August, an amicable settlement focused on the well-being of the family.

“Kristen and Andy had a great working relationship and a strong friendship. There was no affair or infidelity,” the source says. “It was inappropriate to hug the manager at a concert, and she takes responsibility for that. But the subsequent scandal and job loss is completely unfair.”

The media uproar wasn’t limited to social media; it also prompted Capote and Byron to resign from Astronomer, which explained in a statement that “leaders are expected to set an example of behavior and accountability, and that standard hasn’t been met recently.”

But the incident had a greater impact on her personal life. Photographers began hounding her, and headlines circulated falsely labeling her a “homewrecker.” The source says, “It’s hard to imagine the devastation this has caused, not just for Kristen but for both families.”

The source adds that the public backlash was brutal: “In the first three days after the video went viral, she received about 900 death threats. Even in her daily life, she was mocked and filmed just trying to pick up her son from work.”

He confirms that her marriage was already over, noting that her estranged husband was also at the same party with a date. “It wasn’t a work event, or a company fundraiser. It was a night out with a large group of friends and a fleeting moment that was hugely misunderstood.”

Cabot, who spent more than 20 years in advertising before moving to the tech industry in 2016, is now focused on her children and recovering from the immense pressure. “She’s been working since she was 15,” the source says. “She’s been a lifelong self-reliant person.”

He continues: “Today, she puts her family first, and her children have been through a lot. She has a strong network of friends and family who know and love her and will support her through this. But it will take time.”