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The son of the late rock frontman Chester Bennington has furiously called out his dad’s former band, Linkin Park, over their decision to hire new singer Emily Armstrong.
Armstrong, who co-founded the rock band Dead Sara, made her debut with Linkin Park in a live performance on 5 September, alongside new drummer Colin Brittan.
Shortly after she was unveiled as the band’s new singer, controversy erupted as it was claimed that Armstrong had supported The Ranch and That ‘70s Show star Danny Masterson during a sexual assault trial that saw him convicted of rape. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison last year.
Jaime aired his discontent on Instagram on Monday (9 September) in a Story post, accusing Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda of “quietly [erasing] my father’s life and legacy in real time… during international suicide prevention month”.
In a lengthy series of remarks, he highlighted Armstrong’s alleged links with the Church of Scientology as well as her support of Masterson.
He said that Linkin Park had “failed to address the concerns of their diverse fanbase” and that their recent actions are “not something people should acclimate to”.
The band had “betrayed the trust” of the fanbase, he said, “who trusted you to be the bigger person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you’re just senile and tone deaf.”
In a post on Tuesday (10 September), Jaime claimed that Shinoda has now blocked him on Instagram.
Armstrong’s alleged support of Masterson was first flagged by Cedric Bixler-Zavala, lead singer of The Mars Volta and husband of Masterson accuser, actor Chrissie Carnell-Bixler.
Without naming Masterson, Armstrong addressed the backlash by saying she was once “asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance”.
The post read: “Hi, I’m Emily. I'm new to so many of you, and I wanted to clear the air about something that happened a while back. I went to one early hearing as an observer. Soon after, I realised I shouldn’t have.
“I always try to see the good in people and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.”
She continued: “To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathise with the victims of these crimes.”
Shinoda also addressed fan concerns during a conversation on Discord, expressing his understanding while calling for respectful discussion.
The announcement that Armstrong had joined the band was accompanied by new single “The Emptiness Machine” and the news that Linkin Park will release a new album – their first since 2017’s One More Light – on 15 November, titled From Zero.
The band will also head out on a six-date world tour from 11 September that will see them perform in cities including Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London and Seoul.
The Independent has contacted Linkin Park and Armstrong for comment.
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