A surprising twist in Linkin Park’s new era has sparked a difficult discussion.
The son of the late Chester Bennington has taken issue with the band’s new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, particularly regarding her past associations with the Church of Scientology and her support for Danny Masterson, the former That ‘70s Show actor convicted of sexual abuse.
Jaime Bennington’s take on Linkin Park and Emily Armstrong
Linkin Park recently made headlines after announcing their comeback during a streaming event on September 5, where they introduced their new song “The Emptiness Machine” and revealed plans for a new album. While the band’s musical revival was met with excitement, the introduction of Emily Armstrong as the new vocalist sparked controversy beyond the music.
Jaime Bennington openly questioned Armstrong’s connection to the Church of Scientology and her past support for Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexual assault. This controversy struck a particularly painful chord, as Chester Bennington had publicly discussed his own experiences surviving sexual abuse.
Emily Armstrong’s response
Emily Armstrong addressed the accusations in a social media statement after Cedric Bixler-Zavala, lead singer of The Mars Volta, brought attention to her ties to Scientology and Masterson.
“Hi, I’m Emily,” she wrote via instagram. “I’m new to so many of you, and I wanted to clear the air about something that happened a while back.
“Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer. Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since.” She continued
“Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty. To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.” she ended the post.
What did Jaime Bennington said about Emily and Mike?
In his Instagram stories, Jaime Bennington criticized Mike Shinoda, acussing him of betraying his father’s legacy, especially during Suicide Prevention Month. He expressed frustration over the decision to bring Armstrong into the band without considering fans who have been victims of similar crimes.
“What you’ve done is not for people to ACCLIMATE to. It’s not a shock that people are just going to have to take time to process and understand” Jaime wrote.
Following his outspoken criticism, Jaime Bennington has received death threats from some Linkin Park fans, including messages urging him to take his own life. Despite this, he plans to attend the band’s comeback show, explaining that he’s seeking closure and still grieving his father’s death seven years ago.
As of now, neither Mike Shinoda nor Emily Armstrong has publicly responded to Jaime Bennington’s accusations.
