The music community is buzzing after Cedric Bixler-Zavala, co-founder of The Mars Volta, publicly expressed his disapproval of Linkin Park's decision to hire Dead Sara's Emily Armstrong as their new lead singer. This announcement followed Linkin Park's first studio album since the tragic loss of Chester Bennington in 2017. The freshly reformed band, looking to forge a new path, revealed Armstrong as their front-person, with a full album reportedly on the way. Amid the excitement, Bixler-Zavala's comments have cast a shadow over the announcement.
Bixler-Zavala’s backlash stems from Armstrong's ties to Scientology and her association with Danny Masterson, a convicted rapist. The issue touches a personal nerve for Bixler-Zavala; his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, is among Masterson's victims. Following the guilty verdict against Masterson, the musician had taken to social media to support his wife and the other survivors, emphasizing the importance of sending them love and recognition.
In a now-deleted comment on Dead Sara's Instagram account, Bixler-Zavala expressed surprise that the band had not supported their fellow Scientologist Masterson during his legal troubles. He referenced troubling incidents involving the Church of Scientology and questioned the practices of the faith, particularly regarding its handling of allegations of abuse.
Bixler-Zavala's comment, despite its deletion, has been captured in multiple screenshots and shared across various platforms, fueling discussions about the ethics of such alliances in the industry. As of now, neither Linkin Park nor Emily Armstrong have responded to his remarks. For more about Linkin Park's new era, you can read more here: Clash Music
Linkin Park's choice to promote a new chapter while rekindling past controversies has sparked significant conversations regarding accountability and the understanding of personal affiliations in the music industry.