An HR executive caught on the big screen at a Coldplay concert engaging warmly with her boss has revealed the ongoing harassment she faced since the moment went viral. Kristin Cabot, who was seen hugging Andy Byron, the then-CEO of tech firm Astronomer, has opened up about her ordeal that began with what was initially a humorous meme but quickly turned into a tragic situation for her and her family.
After the concert in Boston, Massachusetts, where Coldplay's Chris Martin playfully remarked about the couple's chemistry, the video gained millions of views. For Ms. Cabot, however, this was the starting point of a distressing journey. Following Byron's resignation amid allegations of misconduct, she found herself labeled as 'unemployable' as she sought other job opportunities.
In a heartfelt interview, Cabot stated, I became a meme, I was the most maligned HR manager in HR history, highlighting the cruel turn her life took post-incident. As she coped with the fallout, including a separation from her husband, she expressed regret over her actions that night—admitting to a “crush” on her boss and reflecting on her poor choices influenced by alcohol.
In conversations with The Times and New York Times, she detailed the emotional toll the viral attention had on her and her children, who experienced bullying as a result of their mother’s public embarrassment. Recounting threats received, she noted a specific incident where an anonymous message warned, I'm coming for you, escalating her family's fears of going out in public.
Although facing significant backlash, Cabot continues to push forward, stating the need for accountability in how women are treated within professional environments, often bearing the brunt of criticism in situations saturated with gender biases. Reflecting on this disparity, she poignantly remarked, I think as a woman, as women always do, I took the bulk of the abuse. People would say things like I was a 'gold-digger' or I 'slept my way to the top,' which just couldn't be further from reality.
Despite the overwhelming nature of her experience, recent improvements have surfaced as she begins to find therapeutic avenues for her family. She and Byron have limited contact since their ordeal intensified, navigating their paths separately in the aftermath of the incident. With continued efforts to reclaim her narrative, Cabot hopes to pave the way for a better understanding of workplace professionalism and the unique challenges faced by women in corporate settings.
