Why Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal Won't Cost Ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron A Penny In Divorce

Last Updated:August 06, 2025, 22:07 IST

According to California family law attorney Richard Sullivan, Byron could walk away from the divorce without paying alimony or any extra penalties related to the affair

Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot's infamous 'kiss cam' moment at a Coldplay concert.

Andy Byron, the ex-CEO of tech company Astronomer, became an internet sensation overnight after a video of him getting cosy with the company’s Chief People Officer (CPO) during a Coldplay concert went viral last month.

The scandal spread like wildfire on social media, with memes poking fun at the awkward moment caught on the big screen. However, despite the public uproar and the apparent betrayal, legal experts say Byron won’t suffer financially in the divorce settlement.

According to California family law attorney Richard Sullivan, Byron could walk away from the divorce without paying alimony or any extra penalties related to the affair, The Blast reported.

California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning the court does not consider who was at fault or who cheated when deciding matters like property division or spousal support.

Explaining this, Sullivan said, “People often assume cheating automatically impacts the outcome of a divorce, especially emotionally charged cases like this."

“But California is a no-fault divorce state. That means the court doesn’t care who cheated or why the marriage ended. Infidelity may be morally outrageous, but it doesn’t change the financial outcome," he added.

Sullivan further noted that even though Byron’s reputation took a massive hit from the scandal, this doesn’t translate into a bigger payout for his estranged spouse. Property and assets will be split fairly, and spousal support will depend on earnings and lifestyle, not on who embarrassed whom in front of thousands.

“Unless community funds were used to support the affair—like expensive travel or gifts—cheating has very little legal consequence. It might matter emotionally. But in court, it’s irrelevant," he noted.

The scandal erupted during a July 16, Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. The jumbotron focused on Byron and the company’s CPO, Kristin Cabot, who looked awkward as they embraced.

Lead singer Chris Martin’s cheeky remark—“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy"—sent the video viral.

Following the incident, both Byron and Cabot were placed on leave, faced huge backlash online, and soon resigned.

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