“I TRUSTED HER FOR 7 YEARS” – Andy Byron’s Handwritten Letter Leaks After Kristin Cabot’s Alleged Affair, But It’s What He Scribbled in the Corner That Has the Internet Shaking

On July 16, 2025, a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Boston turned into an unexpected viral sensation when the event’s “kiss cam” caught Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot in a compromising embrace. The moment, amplified by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s quip, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re very shy,” sparked a social media firestorm dubbed #ColdplayGate. Now, a leaked handwritten letter allegedly penned by Byron, with a cryptic note scribbled in the corner, has sent the internet into a frenzy, raising questions about trust, betrayal, and workplace ethics at Astronomer, a $1.3 billion data infrastructure startup. This article delves into the scandal, the letter’s contents, and the mysterious scribble that has captivated online audiences.

The Coldplay Kiss Cam Incident

The incident unfolded during Coldplay’s performance when the kiss cam panned to Byron and Cabot, who were seen with their arms around each other. Byron, married to Megan Kerrigan Byron and father of two, quickly ducked behind a barrier, while Cabot covered her face, visibly embarrassed. Martin’s lighthearted comment, unaware of the context, turned a private moment into a public spectacle. The clip, shared by TikTok user @instaagrace, amassed over 45 million views, with reposts flooding platforms like X, Reddit, and Instagram. Social media users swiftly identified Byron and Cabot, noting Byron’s marital status and Cabot’s role as Astronomer’s HR chief, leading to widespread speculation of an affair.

The fallout was immediate. Netizens slammed the pair for their public display, with one X user writing, “I don’t think it’s fair for a wife to find out about her cheating husband via social media posts from complete strangers.” Others mocked the irony of Cabot’s LinkedIn bio, which boasts of winning “trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants.” Former Astronomer employees fueled the fire, with some on Reddit calling Byron a “toxic boss” and questioning the company’s workplace culture.

Megan Kerrigan Byron’s Response

The scandal took a personal toll on Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, an educator at Bancroft School in Massachusetts. Reports indicate she removed “Byron” from her Facebook profile and deactivated her account after it was inundated with comments about the alleged affair. Her Instagram account was also deleted, signaling a retreat from public scrutiny. Public sentiment on X expressed sympathy for Megan, with one user stating, “Andy Byron’s wife is absolutely gorgeous. What an incredible fool to do this to her!” The lack of an official statement from Megan has only intensified speculation about the state of their marriage.

The Leaked Handwritten Letter

Amid the chaos, a handwritten letter allegedly written by Andy Byron surfaced on social media, purportedly addressing the scandal. The letter, which has not been officially verified, contains the phrase “I TRUSTED HER FOR 7 YEARS,” seemingly referring to Kristin Cabot. The contents express regret, stating, “I want to acknowledge the moment that’s been circulating online, and the disappointment it’s caused. What was supposed to be a night of music and joy turned into a deeply personal mistake playing out on a very public stage. I sincerely apologize to my wife, my family, and the team at Astronomer.” The letter also controversially suggests that Coldplay’s kiss cam violated his privacy, reading, “I respect artists, but I hope we can think more deeply about the impact of turning someone’s life into a spectacle.”

However, it’s the cryptic note scribbled in the corner of the letter that has the internet “shaking.” The barely legible scrawl, deciphered by online sleuths, appears to read, “She knew my heart, but I was blind.” This phrase has sparked wild theories, with some interpreting it as an admission of a long-term emotional affair with Cabot, while others see it as a jab at his wife, Megan, implying she knew of his feelings for Cabot. On Reddit, user u/Parge-leniss commented, “That scribble is either a poetic cry for help or the dumbest thing to write in a leaked letter. Either way, it’s gold.” The ambiguity of the note has fueled memes, with one viral X post joking, “Andy Byron’s corner scribble is the corporate equivalent of a Taylor Swift Easter egg.”

Debunking the Letter’s Authenticity

Astronomer has since debunked the letter as fake, stating through a spokesperson to Men’s Journal that it originated from an unofficial source. The company clarified that no official statement has been issued by Byron or Cabot, and the apology, including the scribbled note, is not genuine. Despite this, the letter continues to circulate, with skeptics on X pointing out its overly dramatic tone and the unlikely inclusion of Coldplay’s “Fix You” lyrics, which read, “Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you.” Critics argue the letter feels like a parody, with one user tweeting, “If Andy Byron wrote this, he’s got a side gig as a soap opera writer.”

Kristin Cabot’s Role and Past Statements

Kristin Cabot, who joined Astronomer in November 2024, has been thrust into the spotlight. Her LinkedIn profile describes her as a “passionate people leader” with over 20 years of HR experience, previously working at Neo4j and Proofpoint. When hired, Byron praised her “exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management,” while Cabot expressed excitement about her conversations with him, stating, “The real magic happens when you align the people strategy with the business strategy.” These statements have taken on new meaning post-scandal, with netizens questioning the ethics of a CEO-HR relationship. Cabot’s claim of winning CEOs’ trust has been particularly mocked, with one X user quipping, “Guess she won too much trust from Andy.”

Cabot’s personal life has also come under scrutiny. Previously known as Kristin Thornby, she was reportedly divorced from Kenneth Thornby in 2022. Her LinkedIn still lists “Thornby” in brackets, though some reports suggest she removed it post-incident. In a 2021 interview with Neo4j, Cabot discussed her love for heavy metal music and her approach to HR, emphasizing trust and culture-building. The irony of her professional ethos clashing with the scandal has not been lost on the internet.

Corporate and Social Media Fallout

The scandal has raised serious questions about Astronomer’s workplace culture. As the CEO and Chief People Officer, Byron and Cabot are responsible for shaping ethical standards, yet their behavior has prompted accusations of favoritism and power imbalances. Former employees on Reddit have claimed the affair was an “open secret” at Astronomer, with one stating, “The company’s culture was already toxic; this just proves it.” Astronomer has not announced any internal investigation, and the silence from both Byron and Cabot has amplified public criticism.

Major companies like Chipotle, Netflix, and StubHub have joined the online roasting, with Chipotle posting a now-deleted tweet referencing “cheating” on their menu, and StubHub reminding users about the cost of Coldplay tickets. The Seattle Mariners also mocked the incident, highlighting its cultural impact. The hashtag #ColdplayGate continues to trend, with memes and jokes dominating X and TikTok.

The Bigger Picture

The Andy Byron-Kristin Cabot scandal is more than a viral moment; it’s a case study in the intersection of personal conduct, professional responsibility, and public perception in the digital age. The alleged affair, whether confirmed or not, underscores the risks of workplace relationships at the executive level, particularly when they involve figures responsible for ethics and culture. The leaked letter, fake or not, has added fuel to the fire, with its cryptic scribble becoming a symbol of the drama’s absurdity and intrigue.

For Megan Kerrigan Byron, the public humiliation is palpable, and her silence speaks volumes. For Astronomer, the scandal threatens its reputation as a “unicorn” startup valued at $1.3 billion. As the internet continues to dissect the scribble and speculate about the affair, one thing is clear: a night at a Coldplay concert has turned into a corporate and personal reckoning that won’t fade from the headlines anytime soon.