The woman whose viral video inadvertently triggered the “ColdplayGate” scandal, Grace Springer, has expressed direct sympathy for the family of former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, particularly his estranged wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron. While maintaining her initial blunt assessment of “play stupid games, win stupid prizes” for the alleged cheaters, Springer articulated a clear distinction between the perpetrators and the innocent parties caught in the crossfire.
Springer, a 28-year-old New Jersey resident and avid Coldplay fan, was simply filming the concert at Gillette Stadium when the infamous “kiss cam” zoomed in on Andy Byron and Astronomer’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, in an intimate embrace. The pair’s panicked reaction on the Jumbotron, captured by Springer’s phone, quickly exploded across the internet, leading to Byron’s resignation, Cabot’s departure, and a widely reported multi-million dollar divorce filing.
In an interview with ITV’s This Morning and other media outlets, Springer clarified that she had no prior knowledge of who the couple was when she initially filmed the video. “I just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it,” she explained, reiterating that she has made no money from the viral sensation.
However, as the identities of Byron and Cabot became public and the human cost of the scandal emerged, Springer’s tone softened when discussing the family impacted. “I definitely feel for Andy’s wife Megan, his family and everyone else who has been hurt in the process,” she stated.
Springer also addressed the widespread notion that she “exposed” the affair, arguing that the public nature of the incident meant it was inevitable. “There was over 50,000 people at the concert,” she reasoned. “So if it wasn’t me who uploaded it, I’m sure someone else would have.”
Despite the personal toll the scandal has taken on the Byron family, Springer expressed a hope that her video might ultimately serve a greater, if unintended, purpose. “I hope their partners can heal from this and get a second chance at the happiness they deserve with their future still in front of them,” she said. “I hope, for them, my video was a blessing in disguise.”
Her comments underscore a growing public sentiment that, while the actions of Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot are subject to intense scrutiny and judgment, the collateral damage to their families, particularly Megan Kerrigan Byron and the couple’s two sons, warrants empathy. Megan Kerrigan Byron has reportedly sought refuge in a $2.4 million mansion in Kennebunk, Maine, surrounded by family, as new allegations, including a purported $40,000 OnlyFans scandal involving her estranged husband, continue to emerge.
Grace Springer, an accidental player in a drama that has captivated millions, has now transitioned from being just the “woman who filmed it” to a voice acknowledging the broader human impact of a scandal that began with a fleeting moment on a stadium screen.