A so-called apology letter attributed to Astronomer CEO Andy Byron went viral online this week after a video from a Coldplay concert appeared to show him and the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, sharing an intimate moment when the kiss cam landed on them.

Viral video sparks infidelity rumours

The controversy began when a clip from Coldplay’s concert at Gillette Stadium showed Byron and Cabot embracing as the kiss cam panned to their section. The moment prompted a swift reaction online, as viewers speculated about the nature of their relationship, particularly since Byron is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron. The pair’s panicked reaction, with Cabot covering her face and Byron ducking down out of sight, only fuelled suspicions.

Even Coldplay frontman Chris Martin chimed in, reportedly saying on stage, “Oh look at these two. Either they are having an affair or they’re just really shy.”

The ‘apology’ goes viral

Not long after the video gained traction, screenshots of an alleged apology by Byron began circulating on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. In the statement, dated July 17 2025, Byron allegedly called the moment a “deeply personal mistake” and offered a public apology to his wife, family, and team at Astronomer.

“What was supposed to be a night of music and joy turned into a deeply personal mistake playing out on a very public stage,” the statement read.

He appeared to take full responsibility, writing, “You deserve better from me as a partner, as a father, and as a leader.” The letter closed with a quote from Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’: “Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you.”

The statement also appeared to criticise Coldplay and the public reaction, saying, “I also want to express how troubling it is that what should have been a private moment became public without my consent. I respect artists and entertainers, but I hope we can all think more deeply about the impact of turning someone else’s life into a spectacle.”

Fact-check

Despite the flood of posts sharing and analysing the message, multiple fact-checks have since confirmed that the apology was fabricated. There is no evidence that Byron or Astronomer released any official comment regarding the concert incident.

The statement initially appeared on X via an account using the name Peter Enis with the handle @PeterEnisCBS. However, upon closer inspection, the account was identified as a parody and later suspended for violating X’s community guidelines. The email linked to the account — penis@cbsnews.com — made the satirical intent even more obvious.

A Community Note on X confirmed the deception: “Peter Enis does not exist at CBS News. Until earlier today, this account was listed as a parody. This changed deliberately to mislead.”

Shortly after being called out, the user behind the account admitted the hoax in a follow-up post: “Well guys, I’ve been caught. The report is fake... But thank you to all who made today so funny. I’m glad you all enjoyed the Fix You lyric at the end. I debated on that one.”

A spokesperson for Astronomer, Taylor Jones, also addressed the growing speculation. Speaking to Men’s Journal, Jones confirmed that the letter was entirely false and that no statement had been made by Byron in connection to the viral video.

A second fake statement, falsely presented as a screenshot from Astronomer’s official X account @astronomerio, is also being widely circulated. The company has not acknowledged or verified any of these posts.