« It’s not about erasing the past »: Linkin Park on controversy surrounding their new singer, Emily Armstrong
Linkin Park says the band has entered a new era. However, it isn’t without controversy.
Earlier this week, the dormant rock band kicked off its « From Zero » tour in Los Angeles to share songs from their first album in seven years — due out on November 15 — but the discourse around their new singer, Emily Armstrong, is casting a dark cloud over the tour.
During the show in LA., founding member Mike Shinoda honored the passing of former lead singer Chester Bennington, who died by suicide in 2017, while defending the band’s decision to replace him with Armstrong — who was recently called out by Bennington’s son, Jaime, for her ties to the Church of Scientology and her support of Danny Masterson, who was convicted of raping two women and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023.
« It’s not about erasing the past », Shinoda said to the crowd. « It’s about starting this new chapter into the future and coming out here for each and every one of you. »
But although USA Today reported that Armstrong — co-founder of alternative rock band Dead Sara — « made an instant impact with her raging vocals [and] fearless stage presence », some people are still very upset about her addition to the lineup — especially Jaime.
