Andy Byron Responds to Keanu Reeves’ Criticism: “He Doesn’t Know the Full Story”

As public attention continues to swirl around the viral “kiss cam” scandal involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and CPO Kristin Cabot, actor Keanu Reeves’ recent statements on the matter have sparked controversy of their own—particularly from those directly involved.

Byron, who had remained silent for several days, finally issued a formal response late Monday evening, directly addressing Reeves’ widely circulated comments.

“I have great respect for Keanu Reeves as an actor and philanthropist,” Byron said in a prepared statement shared with several media outlets. “But I believe his comments about me and Ms. Cabot are based on media speculation, not facts. He doesn’t know the full story.”

Reeves, in an earlier interview, had called for “accountability” and denounced “extramarital affairs involving high-ranking officials,” stating such actions should be “condemned” and not normalized. He later added that leaked documents hinting at misuse of company funds changed the nature of the issue from personal to professional.

But Byron insists the allegations are exaggerated—and that Reeves’ words unfairly fueled a public trial without due process.

“This Is Still a Private Matter”

Byron stressed that while the viral video showed a personal moment, it did not reflect the complexity of his and Cabot’s situation.

“This situation, while unfortunate, is being handled appropriately through internal channels,” he stated. “No company funds were misused, and every trip and expense was documented and approved according to policy. The assumption that something unethical occurred is based on optics, not evidence.”

He continued, “It’s disappointing to see someone with such influence, like Mr. Reeves, contribute to a narrative that could damage reputations and careers without knowing the details.”

Kristin Cabot, through her attorney, echoed similar concerns, stating: “There’s a clear line between celebrity opinion and professional accountability. Mr. Reeves is entitled to his views, but he is not entitled to define the truth.”

Public Reaction Now More Divided

Reeves’ initial remarks received widespread support, but Byron’s response has introduced more nuance to the conversation. Some online users now question whether the media and public figures acted too quickly in passing judgment.

“Keanu’s heart may have been in the right place, but did he speak too soon?” one Reddit user asked in a trending thread. “Byron’s statement sounds reasonable. Maybe we don’t know everything.”

Others remain skeptical, noting the lack of transparency from Astronomer so far.

What Comes Next?

Astronomer has not made any official comment on Byron’s or Cabot’s employment status, though internal investigations are reportedly underway.

In the meantime, Byron concluded his message with a pointed reminder: “Let’s allow the facts—not assumptions or celebrity sound bites—to guide the conversation.”

As the story unfolds, the public now finds itself balancing two competing narratives: one of ethical outrage, and one of personal privacy and due process.