Kristin Cabot, a former HR executive, has publicly detailed the severe and ongoing repercussions of a viral video from a Coldplay concert last year. The footage, showing her embracing her then-CEO, Andy Byron, led to relentless harassment, job loss, and profound personal distress for Cabot and her family. She describes being deemed “unemployable” in the aftermath of the incident, which saw both executives resign from tech company Astronomer. Cabot’s decision to speak out highlights the enduring impact of online shaming and the disproportionate abuse she experienced.

The incident occurred in July, when Cabot, then Chief People Officer at Astronomer, was captured on the big screen at a Coldplay concert in Boston, Massachusetts, alongside CEO Andy Byron. The pair were seen swaying to the music before abruptly ducking away from the camera’s gaze. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin playfully remarked to the crowd, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy,” inadvertently fueling the clip’s rapid spread across social media platforms, where it quickly garnered millions of views and became a widespread meme.

Following the video’s viral circulation, Astronomer announced that Mr. Byron would be placed on leave pending an investigation into his conduct. He subsequently tendered his resignation, which the board accepted. Ms. Cabot, 53, also stepped down from her role. The company issued a statement affirming its commitment to its values and culture, stressing that its leaders were expected to uphold standards of conduct and accountability.

For Ms. Cabot, the public scrutiny and professional fallout were just the beginning of a prolonged ordeal. She revealed that despite her extensive experience, she has struggled to secure new employment, with potential employers reportedly deeming her “unemployable” due to the scandal. The “harassment has never ended,” she stated, detailing how her children are now too embarrassed to be seen with her in public, impacting their school and social lives significantly.

The abuse Ms. Cabot endured included doxxing, where her private details were published online, leading to an onslaught of up to 600 calls daily and constant paparazzi presence outside her home. She received numerous death threats, causing her children immense fear for their lives and making the family dread public spaces. Ms. Cabot specifically noted a stark gender disparity in the criticism, feeling she bore the “bulk of the abuse” as a woman.

Accusations ranged from being a “gold-digger” to “sleeping her way to the top,” claims she vehemently denied, stating they were antithetical to her life’s work. Her appearance, body, face, and clothing were meticulously scrutinized and ridiculed online, even drawing comments from high-profile figures like Whoopi Goldberg. Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin’s former spouse, participated in a promotional video for Astronomer, adding another layer to the public spectacle.

Ms. Cabot clarified that while she had a “crush” on Mr. Byron, she was separated from her husband (who was also at the concert) and was not in a sexual relationship with her boss. She admitted to making a “bad decision” after consuming alcohol, acknowledging inappropriate behavior. Mr. Byron has remained publicly silent on the matter, with a fake statement attributed to him requiring Astronomer to issue a clarification.

Her decision to speak out now stems from the persistent torment affecting her and her children. “It’s not over for me, and it’s not over for my kids. The harassment never ended,” she explained. While she and Mr. Byron initially exchanged “crisis management advice,” they decided to cease communication, believing it would hinder their individual processes of moving on and healing from the public fallout.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Ms. Cabot is actively seeking ways to cope and recover. She has arranged therapy for her children and has begun to re-engage with public life by playing tennis, marking small steps towards normalcy. The BBC has attempted to contact Mr. Byron for comment via his former employer, Astronomer.

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Keywords: Kristin Cabot, Coldplay viral video, HR executive harassment, online shaming, Astronomer company, job loss public scandal, Andy Byron, doxxing threats