‘What A Joke’: Bengaluru CEO Rejects ‘Boston Brahmin’ Analogy After Coldplay Kiss Cam Row

Last Updated:July 23, 2025, 12:58 IST

The term ‘Boston Brahmin', which was meant to satirically evoke old-world privilege, has now drawn fire from caste-conscious discourse online.

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot were seen snuggling as the "kiss cam" zoomed in on them. (Photo: Instagram)

Bengaluru CEO and writer Anuradha Tiwari, who previously stirred debate over her post on “Brahmin genes," has now pushed back against the online chatter linking the Coldplay concert controversy to Brahmins, calling the connection bizarre.

“That Coldplay concert controversy has bizarrely been linked to Brahmins. What a joke! Didn’t even know ‘Boston Brahmins’ was a real term until I watched this video."

She also opened the ground for debate, asking: “What do you all think?"

Her tweet has sparked further discussion online, with many users expressing confusion over the term “Boston Brahmin", which, despite its name, has no direct connection to Indian caste structures.

The term resurfaced after media reports identified Kristin Cabot, the woman involved in the Coldplay kiss cam controversy, as part of the prominent Cabot family, historically associated with Boston’s upper elite.

According to several media reports, Kristin Cabot is married to Andrew Cabot, a descendant of one of the so-called “First Families of Boston." The Cabots are considered part of the ‘Boston Brahmins’, a social class term coined in the 1860s by writer and physician Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. He used the phrase to describe the refined, wealthy, and influential Anglo-American families of Boston, likening their aristocratic stature to that of Hindu Brahmins in India—particularly in terms of lineage, philanthropy, and cultural authority.

Kristin and Andrew Cabot’s family legacy includes major business interests in shipping, carbon black manufacturing, and the historic Privateer Rum distillery, which Andrew now runs as its sixth-generation owner.

Ironically, the term ‘Boston Brahmin’, which was meant to satirically evoke old-world privilege, has now unintentionally drawn fire from caste-conscious discourse online.

How Did X Users React?

The renewed spotlight on the term ‘Boston Brahmin’ drew a wide range of reactions on social media, with many users expressing confusion, sarcasm, or historical insight.

Abhinay Pandey, an X user, wrote: “Never heard of a ‘Boston Brahmin’ before and probably it’s not even a real thing. But the Brahmin-hate is so strong these days that even a CEO’s affair gets blamed on them. "

On the other hand, Amit Schandillia clarified the legitimacy of the phrase and said: “Boston Brahmin is indeed a term. And quite a flattering one at that. Read up, you’ll love it."

Swayam Tiwari also weighed in, adding historical context. He said: “Boston Brahmins were the wealthiest and most influential Americans in New England. The Rockefellers, etc., were all Boston Brahmins. So called because they were the direct descendants of the first English settlers."

The thread of responses reflected a growing curiosity, and occasional confusion, among X users.

Abhro Banerjee

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...Read More

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...

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