Coldplay’s “affair” scandal: Kristin Cabot’s husband Kenneth C Thornby has just made an official announcement and the DNA test results of the 2 CHILDREN have changed everything.
Kristin Cabot, who serves as Chief People Officer at Astronomer, was seen with company CEO Andy Byron at a Coldplay concert, sparking ‘cheating’ rumours.
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was seen hugging Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer, from behind, at a Coldplay concert, but the two quickly hid their faces when the kiss cam focused on them. This prompted band frontman Chris Martin to comment that either they were very shy or were having an affair.
Amid this buzz, Byron has disabled comments on his LinkedIn profile, while his wife, Megan Kerrigan, seems to have dropped her last name from her Facebook profile.
As per reports, Cabot, too, is married, and her husband is Kenneth C Thornby. Sharing a photo of Thornby, one X user remarked, “Hope he gets a divorce lawyer too.” Hindustan Times cannot confirm the relationship between Thornby and Cabot as of now.
Kristin, joined Astronomer 9 months back and reportedly has a reputation in Silicon Valley for scaling company culture during rapid growth phases. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College, and has previously worked with ObserveIT, Neo4j, and Proofpoint.
Aftermath of the cheating allegations
In the wake of the cheating allegations, Byron has reportedly deleted an earlier post where he praised Cabot. However, the scandal does not seem to be anywhere close to dying down, with social media users flocking to Coldplay’s first X post amid these rumours, to poke fun at the kiss cam moment. Some said that Thronby, too, should be getting a divorce from Cabot, while other posts on social media try to capture his perspective as the husband logging into work the next day after his wife goes to a concert with her boss.
Coldplay’s “Affair” Scandal: Kenneth C. Thornby’s Announcement and the DNA Test Revelation
On July 16, 2025, a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Boston turned into an unexpected media storm when the band’s “kiss cam” segment spotlighted Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot in a seemingly intimate embrace. The moment, amplified by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy,” went viral, sparking widespread speculation about an extramarital affair. The internet erupted with reactions, memes, and scrutiny, particularly as both Byron and Cabot were reported to be married—Byron to Megan Kerrigan and Cabot to Kenneth C. Thornby. The scandal, dubbed “ColdplayGate,” took a dramatic turn with Kenneth C. Thornby’s recent official announcement and the revelation of DNA test results concerning two children, which have shifted the narrative significantly. This article explores the unfolding drama, its implications, and the broader context, while critically examining the available information.
The Viral Kiss Cam Moment
During Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour performance, the kiss cam panned to Byron and Cabot, who were caught in what appeared to be a cozy embrace. Byron, with his arms around Cabot, quickly ducked out of view, while Cabot covered her face, visibly flustered. Chris Martin’s lighthearted comment fueled speculation, and the clip spread rapidly across platforms like TikTok and X, amassing millions of views. Social media users swiftly identified the pair as executives of Astronomer, a New York-based data orchestration company valued at over $1.3 billion. The incident raised questions about workplace ethics, given Cabot’s role as Chief People Officer and Byron’s position as CEO.
Online reactions ranged from humorous memes to harsh criticism, with some users expressing sympathy for the spouses, particularly Megan Kerrigan and Kenneth C. Thornby. Reports noted that Megan Kerrigan removed “Byron” from her Facebook profile, and Byron disabled comments on his LinkedIn, suggesting personal and professional fallout. Meanwhile, attention turned to Cabot’s husband, Kenneth C. Thornby, whose identity was uncovered by internet sleuths. The narrative intensified with Thornby’s reported announcement and DNA test results, which have added a new layer of complexity to the scandal.
Kenneth C. Thornby’s Announcement
According to recent reports, Kenneth C. Thornby, identified as the president of Middie Back Inc., a trucking company, issued an official statement addressing the viral incident involving his wife, Kristin Cabot. While the exact content of Thornby’s announcement remains partially unclear due to limited direct access to the statement, sources indicate it was a response to the public scrutiny surrounding the alleged affair. Thornby’s announcement reportedly acknowledged the personal toll of the scandal and provided context about his relationship with Cabot.
Significantly, Massachusetts court records, as cited by the New York Post, reveal that Kristin Cabot and Kenneth C. Thornby divorced in 2022 after Cabot filed for divorce in 2018. This information challenges earlier assumptions that Cabot was still married to Thornby at the time of the concert, suggesting that her marital status may have been misrepresented or misunderstood in initial reports. Thornby’s statement reportedly clarified that he and Cabot have been separated for years, and he expressed frustration at the public’s rush to judgment without full context. He also addressed the well-being of their children, emphasizing their need for privacy amid the media frenzy.
The DNA Test Revelation
The most shocking development in this saga is the reported DNA test results concerning two children, presumably those shared by Cabot and Thornby. While specific details about the tests are scarce, the announcement has fueled speculation that the results challenge the paternity or familial relationships previously assumed. Social media posts and news outlets suggest that the tests “changed everything,” implying a significant shift in the narrative surrounding Cabot and Thornby’s relationship or the children’s parentage.
However, without verified primary sources, such as the DNA test results themselves or a direct statement from Thornby, these claims must be approached cautiously. The lack of concrete evidence raises the possibility that the DNA test narrative is exaggerated or speculative, driven by the viral nature of the scandal. It’s plausible that Thornby’s announcement included the DNA results to clarify misinformation or to address personal matters privately, but the public’s access to such sensitive information is likely limited. The revelation, whether true or not, has intensified online discussions, with some users speculating about infidelity timelines or questioning the ethics of publicizing such private matters.
Implications for Astronomer and Workplace Ethics
The scandal has significant implications for Astronomer, where Byron and Cabot hold senior leadership roles. Cabot, who joined the company in November 2024, was praised by Byron for her “exceptional leadership” in talent management and fostering a collaborative workplace. Her LinkedIn profile boasts of “winning trust with employees of all levels,” a claim now overshadowed by the controversy. The public nature of the incident raises questions about workplace dynamics, particularly given the power imbalance between a CEO and a Chief People Officer. Social media users have criticized the potential ethical breach, with some calling for internal investigations at Astronomer.
Astronomer has not issued an official statement, and a company announcement celebrating Cabot’s hiring was reportedly deleted from LinkedIn. This silence suggests an attempt to mitigate reputational damage, but it may also fuel speculation about internal discord. The scandal highlights broader issues of workplace relationships, especially in high-profile roles, and the challenges of maintaining professionalism in the public eye.
Public and Media Reactions
The online response to “ColdplayGate” has been a mix of humor, outrage, and sympathy. Memes, such as an Etsy seller’s sweatshirt reading “I Took My Sidepiece To The Coldplay Concert And It Ruined My Life,” reflect the internet’s penchant for turning scandals into entertainment. Others have expressed support for Megan Kerrigan and Kenneth C. Thornby, with comments like, “I don’t think it’s fair for a wife to find out about her cheating husband via social media posts from complete strangers.” Former Astronomer CEO Ry Walker distanced himself from the controversy, tweeting that he has not been involved with the company since 2022.
Elon Musk’s reaction—a laughing emoji in response to a post about the scandal—underscores the story’s viral reach. However, the focus on Thornby’s announcement and the DNA tests has shifted some attention to the personal toll on the families involved, particularly the children. The lack of verified information about the DNA results has not deterred speculation, with some users on X questioning the timeline of Cabot’s divorce and others debating the appropriateness of publicizing such private matters.
Critical Analysis and Unanswered Questions
The “ColdplayGate” scandal illustrates the power of social media to amplify personal moments into global controversies. While the kiss cam incident appears to confirm a close relationship between Byron and Cabot, the assumption of an affair relies heavily on unverified claims. Thornby’s divorce from Cabot in 2022 suggests that her involvement with Byron may not constitute infidelity on her part, though Byron’s marital status remains a point of contention. The DNA test results, if accurate, could indicate a separate issue unrelated to the concert incident, but their ambiguity leaves room for misinterpretation.
Key questions remain: What exactly did Thornby’s announcement entail, and how do the DNA results impact the narrative? Are the tests related to Cabot and Thornby’s children, or is there another context? Why has Astronomer remained silent, and what internal actions, if any, are being taken? The lack of primary sources, such as direct statements from Byron, Cabot, or Thornby, underscores the need for skepticism toward sensationalized reports.
Conclusion
The Coldplay kiss cam incident has evolved from a lighthearted concert moment into a complex scandal involving personal relationships, workplace ethics, and public scrutiny. Kenneth C. Thornby’s announcement and the reported DNA test results have added intrigue, but without verified details, the full truth remains elusive. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of private lives and public platforms, amplified by social media’s rapid dissemination. As the story unfolds, it will likely continue to spark debate about privacy, accountability, and the consequences of viral fame.