Emily Armstrong, the new singer of Linkin Park, recently spoke out about her alleged past involvement with the Church of Scientology and addressing accusations that she supported convicted rapist Danny Masterson. In a statement on Instagram, Armstrong explained that she had attended a court appearance to support a friend, but later realized her mistake after learning more about the situation. She made it clear that she does not condone abuse or violence against women and empathizes with the victims of such crimes.
The criticism against Armstrong was led by Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, who are both former Scientologists. Chrissie Carnell-Bixler was one of several women who brought accusations of sexual assault against Danny Masterson. While Masterson was not found guilty of her allegations, he was ultimately convicted of two of three rape charges last year and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. Bixler-Zavala called out Armstrong on social media, questioning her support for Masterson and the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard’s book Dianetics.
Emily Armstrong’s new role as the singer of Linkin Park comes as the band announced its reunion, introducing a new drummer, Colin Brittain, and plans for a new album and tour. The band’s original singer, Chester Bennington, died by suicide in 2017. Armstrong’s appointment as the new singer generated backlash due to her alleged ties to Scientology and her past support for Masterson. The band has not released a statement addressing the controversy surrounding Armstrong but directed media inquiries to her social media statement.
In response to the criticism, Armstrong clarified her position on supporting Masterson and expressed her support for the victims of sexual assault. She admitted to misjudging the situation and emphasized that she does not condone violence against women. The controversy surrounding Armstrong’s past involvement with the Church of Scientology and her association with Masterson has raised questions about her suitability as the new singer of Linkin Park. Fans and critics alike are divided on whether Armstrong’s past actions should impact her current position in the band.
As the discussion around Emily Armstrong’s past continues, Linkin Park’s future plans for a new album and tour remain in the spotlight. The band’s decision to reunite with a new singer and drummer has reignited interest in their music and upcoming projects. However, the controversy surrounding Armstrong’s ties to Scientology and her support for Masterson has cast a shadow over the band’s reunion announcement. As fans await further updates from Linkin Park and Armstrong, the debate over her past actions and their implications for her role in the band is likely to continue.
