Kristin Cabot has shared her traumatic experience following a viral video from a Coldplay concert, where she was seen hugging her boss, leading to widespread harassment and ridicule. The moment, which captured attention when Coldplay's Chris Martin jokingly commented on their interaction, resulted in significant professional and personal fallout for Cabot.
Following the incident, which occurred in July, she lost her position as chief people officer at Astronomer, coinciding with CEO Andy Byron's resignation due to a simultaneous investigation. As she seeks new employment, Cabot has been labeled 'unemployable' by potential employers.
In candid interviews, Cabot articulates the depth of harassment she faced online and in public. Describing her experience as 'becoming a meme' and 'the most maligned HR manager in history,' she highlights the cruelty of public scrutiny, especially from women, who largely contributed to the online bullying and harassment.
Her challenges extend beyond professional woes as family dynamics suffered, with her children feeling embarrassed and fearful after experiencing threats aimed at their mother. The cascading effects of the incident continue to haunt her, showing the long-lasting trauma associated with public shame and online harassment.
Despite a challenging recovery journey, including therapy for her children and personal activities to regain a semblance of normalcy, Cabot remains in a difficult situation. She reflected on her choices that night at the concert, taking accountability for her actions while emphasizing that the ongoing harassment is not just her burden to bear, but also affects her family deeply.
As the narrative surrounding the incident evolves, Cabot's story serves as a poignant reminder of the complex ramifications of public misinterpretations and the personal toll they can take on individuals involved.
