Chester Bennington’s son, Jamie, has publicly criticized Linkin Park for bringing Emily Armstrong into the band. The backlash comes after the band announced Armstrong as their new co-lead singer on September 5, 2024.
Jamie took to Instagram to express his disapproval of Armstrong, co-founder of the rock band Dead Sara. His criticism stems from Armstrong’s connections to the Church of Scientology and her past support for Danny Masterson, the actor convicted of rape. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023 for his crimes.
In his posts, Jamie accused Linkin Park of betraying their fanbase, stating that they had promised to be “the bigger better person” and to bring about change. He described the band’s decision as “tone deaf,” particularly during International Suicide Prevention Month, a time that holds significant meaning following his father’s tragic death by suicide in 2017.
Cedric Bixler-Zavala of Mars Volta also weighed in on the controversy.
His wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, is one of the women who accused Masterson of sexual assault. Bixler-Zavala reminded fans of Armstrong’s previous support for Masterson during his trial, which further fueled the backlash against her.
In response to the criticism, Armstrong shared her perspective on social media. She explained that she attended a court hearing for Masterson as a friend but later realized it was a mistake. Armstrong emphasized her stance against abuse, stating, “I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.”
Linkin Park’s new album, titled From Zero, is set to be released on November 15, 2024, alongside their new single, The Emptiness Machine. Despite the controversy, the band is moving forward with their comeback after a seven-year hiatus.
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