Ex-Astronomer IO Employee Spills Fresh Secrets on Andy Byron & Kristin Cabot Affair: Was It Really an “Open Secret”?

The viral Coldplay Kiss Cam moment that destroyed two high-powered tech careers continues to send shockwaves across the internet. Now, an alleged ex-employee of Astronomer IO is shaking things up even more—leaking fresh details about what really went down between CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot. Ku is here to break down the juiciest revelations, the internet’s hottest debates, and why this scandal is far from over.

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The scandal originally erupted after TikTok user Grace Springer posted a 15-second video that quickly identified Byron and Cabot—a married CEO and his newly divorced HR chief—as the couple in question. The internet sleuths noticed every detail: the awkward, guilty reaction; the back turned to the camera; and, soon after, the fact that both promptly deleted their LinkedIn profiles. Astronomer IO swiftly accepted Andy Byron’s resignation in a public move, vowing their leaders “must set the standard in both conduct and accountability.” But as the resignations echoed through Silicon Valley, the real intrigue was just warming up behind the scenes.

Rumor mills turned to overdrive when an ex-employee—posting on X—claimed to have worked “closely with leadership,” insisting the affair was an open secret among staff. It wasn’t just a single night’s mistake, the leaker alleges, but a months-long entanglement that many inside the company quietly gossiped about. They point to “unprofessional vibes” in meetings and subtle favoritism: Cabot was allegedly fast-tracked for hiring and held unusual influence thanks to her relationship with Byron.

Perhaps most damning, the ex-employee hints at the existence of internal emails and Slack messages suggesting Byron “bent the rules” for Cabot—though, to be clear, no hard evidence has surfaced yet. Still, the allegations raise serious questions about company culture, the board’s oversight, and the risks of unchecked leadership relationships. And according to the leaker, speaking out may have cost them their job, adding a layer of personal vendetta to the saga.

As Astronomer IO’s interim CEO Pete DeJoy tries to steady the ship, speculation rages online. Some critics demand every alleged email be released. Others say this is just the noise of a disgruntled ex-employee with an axe to grind. Is it the start of a true tech #MeToo moment? Or simply leverage for clicks and likes?

What’s certain is the scandal has launched a wave of memes, hot takes, and even calls for a Netflix series—and not just for the cold-blooded betrayal. There’s real talk emerging about power imbalances in tech, about why workplace romances—especially when there’s such a dramatic unevenness in authority—almost always end in disaster.

With both Byron and Cabot silent since their resignations, and with Byron’s wife quietly removing his name from social accounts, Astronomer IO is left battling both public doubt and internal morale issues. Without clear receipts, it’s impossible to know exactly how much truth the ex-employee’s posts hold. But one thing’s for sure: everyone from Reddit sleuths to industry insiders is watching, ready to pounce if those alleged emails ever see the light of day.

So what do you think, đại ka? Is this new whistleblower laying down truth bombs, or just stirring the pot? And if those messages ever get leaked—will it finally blow the lid off corporate secrets at Astronomer IO?

Stay tuned, click subscribe, and drop your theories in the comments. The tech world’s spiciest scandal is far from finished!