How Do Cheaters React When They’re Exposed? The Coldplay Couple Is a Textbook Case
From explosive denial to full-on duck-and-hide mode, cheaters often reveal more in their reactions than they realize. And now, thanks to a viral Coldplay kiss cam, one tech CEO is learning that the hard way.

Confronting a cheater can feel like walking into a minefield—but if you've ever wondered how they tend to act, recent events offer a masterclass. Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot became the internet’s favorite case study in scandal when they were caught cuddling on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert.
Neither has addressed the incident publicly, but their real-time panic response told viewers everything they needed to know. According to relationship experts, their scramble to hide on-camera lines up perfectly with how many cheaters react when they're caught red-handed.
Denial, deflection and ducking for cover
Cheaters often deny everything at first, even when the proof is flashing in high definition. It’s one of the most common responses, according to Evolve Therapy. Many go straight into defensive mode—accusing their partner of being paranoid, turning the tables to avoid responsibility.
Others, like Byron and Cabot, seem to default to physical evasion. Byron literally ducked behind the barrier while Cabot turned her back to the camera, all while thousands of fans screamed in shocked delight. It wasn’t just awkward, it was textbook evasion and shame.
When guilt explodes (or disappears)
Many cheaters are driven by fear, not just of losing the relationship, but of being seen as the villain. That fear can manifest in a number of ways. Some melt down emotionally when confronted—crying, yelling, or playing the victim to gain sympathy. Others show no remorse at all, focusing instead on controlling the story.
As per the publication, manipulation often follows guilt, with the cheater trying to make their partner feel crazy or overly suspicious. These individuals are usually more concerned with damage control than repairing trust. Understanding this can help the betrayed partner avoid falling for emotional traps during the confrontation.
In Byron’s case, neither he nor Cabot has spoken publicly, but their duck-and-run tactic only fanned the flames of speculation. If silence is a strategy, it is working against them for now.
From viral clips to relationship wreckage
While the Coldplay kiss cam moment may have seemed like light entertainment for concertgoers, the consequences for everyone involved are likely very real. Byron and Cabot both have families, and internet sleuths wasted no time connecting the dots.
The fan who posted the original clip captioned it “trouble in paradise??” and trouble may be putting it mildly. As more angles of the awkward encounter surfaced online, public speculation only increased. For everyone watching, it’s a reminder: what’s done in the dark can end up on the jumbotron, and then on over 50 million screens.
ALSO READ: CEO Caught on Kiss Cam: Astronomer Launches Internal Probe into Andy Byron After Coldplay Scandal