Who is Emily Armstrong? And why is there controversy over the new Linkin Park singer?

Linkin Park has returned with a new line-up and music since lead singer Chester Bennington's death in 2017 but the choice of singer has attracted criticism.

The band introduced Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain on a livestream on Thursday September 5 and announced the release of single The Emptiness Machine, followed by new album From Zero, set for release on November 15.

Speaking about the new line-up, returning member Mike Shinoda said: “The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company and the things we created. We feel really empowered with this new line-up and the vibrant and energised new music we’ve made together. We’re weaving together the sonic touchpoints we’ve been known for and still exploring new ones.”

But the announcement of new singer Emily has made some people unhappy. She allegedly has ties to the Church of Scientology and had been a friend of convicted rapist Danny Masterson before he was convicted. 

She has distanced herself from Masterton, stressing that she does not condone any "abuse or violence against women".

But what do we know about the new lead singer?

Who is Emily Armstrong?

The new Linkin Park singer dropped out of high-school and knew from a young age she wanted to enter the music industry. She started performing with guitarist Siouxsie Medley in 2002. They formed Dead Sara in 2005, with Armstrong the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Los Angeles-based band. With the band, the 38-year-old singer released three studio albums, the first being the 2012’s Weatherman, which Loudwire declared its rock song of the year.

Armstrong had provided background vocals for Courtney Love's solo album Nobody's Daughter before Dead Sara. On Demi Lovato's Holy Fvck album in 2002, Armstrong and her Dead Sara bandmates were given writing credits for the songs Bones and Help Me. They also collaborated with Lovato on the latter song.

So where has the controversy come from?

Fans initially expressed their initial excitement but things soon turned sour. Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, spoke out against the singer joining the band, and they re-shared a post he had written on Instagram last year saying: "Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend."

The post related to US actor Danny Masterson, a former star of hit comedy series That 70s Show, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023 after being convicted of two forcible rape charges.

Chrissie Carnell-Bixler was one of several women who accused Masterson of sexual assault. He was not convicted on the charges relating to her allegations, but he was found guilty after trial on charges brought by two other women who have not been named or identified.

Bixler-Zavala and Carnell-Bixler, both former Scientologists, have said the church harassed them and other witnesses when the allegations against Masterson came out. Masteron is also a Scientologist.

Chester’s son, Jaime Bennington, then started to challenge the appointment. He posted a long statement accusing the band of trying to erase his father's legacy, adding that the band had "betrayed the trust" of fans.

Jaime also questioned why Armstrong had been allowed to join the band and accused Linkin Park of "fail[ing] to vet her properly".

She hit back in a statement admitting she had known the jailed actor but did not condone his crimes.

Taking to Instagram she wrote: “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 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.

“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.”

Armstrong did not address her ties to Scientology in her statement and it is unclear if she is still a member of the church.

Who else was rumoured to replace Chester Bennington?

Lzzy Hale was long rumoured to replace Bennington. The rumour was given added impetus earlier this week when she shared a piano cover of the song Crawling on social media.

Fans also conjectured that Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 might be named the new lead singer. To correct any misconceptions, Whibley declared that he is "not joining Oasis… or Linkin Park, or any other band, for that matter.

"I do look forward to seeing whatever both these amazing bands do in the future."