Emily Armstrong, the recently announced vocalist for Linkin Park, has issued a statement regarding her past support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson. Armstrong's comments come in the wake of backlash following the band's livestream event on September 6, 2024, during which they introduced her as their new lead singer and announced a new album titled 'From Zero'. During the event, the band also performed a new track, 'The Emptiness Machine', and revealed plans for a world tour covering six cities.
The announcement generated an immediate wave of scrutiny, largely fueled by a post from Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta. Bixler-Zavala highlighted Armstrong's past involvement with Masterson, emphasizing her ties to Scientology and her attendance at one of Masterson’s preliminary hearings. This stirred responses across social media, as many linked back to the allegations surrounding Chester Bennington's history of abuse, creating a trending topic online.
In her statement released via Instagram, Armstrong reflected on her decision to support Masterson, stating, "Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance... Soon after, I realized I shouldn't have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him." She further clarified, "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."
Danny Masterson, known for his roles in 'That '70s Show' and 'The Ranch', was convicted of rape in May 2023 and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. His conviction has been linked to claims that he exploited the privileges afforded to him by the Church of Scientology to evade accountability. The Church has not publicly addressed these allegations.
Bixler-Zavala has been an outspoken critic of both Masterson and Scientology, formerly declaring in an Instagram post that he intended to identify those who supported Masterson in an effort to demonstrate the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault.
As Linkin Park moves forward with new music and the addition of Armstrong, the band faces significant challenges in navigating the public's perception of those associated with their new singer amidst the resurfaced controversies over Masterson.