It’s been nearly two months since the Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was seen on camera on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert with Kristin Cabot, the company’s chief people officer, and a source close to Cabot is speaking out for the very first time.
“These are real people and real families. The way people have taken a lot of enjoyment at their expense, it’s hard to see,” a source close to Cabot told People Magazine.
Byron, 51, was caught with his arms wrapped around Cabot, 53, but then ducked once they were on the so-called kiss cam. This instant viral moment apparently doesn’t reflect the real story, according to Cabot’s source.
In recent weeks, new details have come to light about how Cabot was already divorcing her husband before attending the Coldplay concert. The former CEO is reportedly still married, but the source insists Cabot was not breaking up a marriage.
“Kristin and Andy [Byron] had an excellent working relationship, a great friendship. There was no affair,” the source tells PEOPLE.
“It was inappropriate to be hugging your boss at a concert, and she accepts full responsibility for it,” the source says. “But the scandal, the downfall, the loss of the job — all of that is unfair.”
Soon after the incident, Byron and Cabot left Astronomer, and the source doubles down that the coverage of this incident spiraled so much, everything was so far from the truth.
“It is important to note how inappropriately mislabeled Kristin has been — as a homewrecker,” says the source, who notes Byron and Cabot attended the concert with a group of friends.
“It’s unfathomable to witness what has happened, and how devastating it can be, for not just individuals, but entire families,” says the source. “All I can think of is that this could happen to any of us at any time. I think all of the misinformation has been the most mind-blowing to witness.”
“These are real people and real families,” they say. “The way people have taken a lot of enjoyment at their expense, it’s hard to see.”
At the time of the concert, Cabot and her husband were already separated and she went on to file for divorce on August 13.
She has two kids from her first marriage. Her husband, the CEO of Privateer Rum, also has two kids from a prior marriage.
As for how Cabot is doing, the source says, “It’s been hard for her to leave the house. She’s been prioritizing her family. Her kids have been through a lot.”
Right now, the source says, Cabot “is making sure her kids are okay, and that’s going to take time.”
“Kristin has a lot of family and friends around her that know who she really is and love her, and will all see her through this,” the source says, adding, “It will take time.”