Stories today
Senior HR leader discusses months of abuse, threats and her struggle to rebuild her career after a viral Coldplay “kiss-cam” clip.
A Coldplay concert “kiss-cam” moment showed HR executive Kristin Cabot and CEO Andy Byron sharing an embrace that went viral worldwide — looping across TikTok and social feeds.
Only ~16 seconds.
But the digital fallout lasted months.
The clip spread rapidly online, turning into a meme and attracting millions of views within days. This catapulted Cabot into global attention — not for work, but for a brief personal moment.
Cabot reported ongoing abuse and threats — both online and offline.
Some messages referenced her daily routines, causing fear for her family’s safety.
Despite decades in HR leadership, the viral moment upended her professional life:
Her job at Astronomer ended after the scandal.
She says she’s been labeled “unemployable” in job searches.
Cabot insists the moment was brief, not a secret relationship, and not meant for public spectacle. She has called the backlash disproportionate and harmful.
The episode highlights modern challenges:
Online shaming shouldn’t define a life
Even brief viral fame can have serious real-world consequences
Cabot says she’s focusing on recovery, rebuilding her career, and advocating against online harassment. This story isn’t just about a video — it’s about real lives affected by viral fame.
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