Linkin Park made its comeback with new vocalist Emily Armstrong on September 5th and the band played a special performance to a small crowd in Los Angeles to usher in a new era. Armstrong was introduced as the band’s vocalist replacing Chester Bennington, who we lost in 2017. However, this has sparked controversy.
Chester Bennington’s son reacts
Chester Bennington’s son, Jaime Bennington has come up with accusations against Mike Shinoda. Jaime accused Shinoda of ignoring the impact this decision might have on the band’s fanbase.
“You quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time… during international prevention month and refusing to acknowledge the impact of hiring someone like Emily, without so much as a clarifying statement on the variety of victims that make up your core fan base,” Jaime said.
He added, “You betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself. We trusted you to be the bigger, better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you’re just senile and tone deaf.”
Emily Armstrong receives criticism
Former Scientologist Chrissie Carnell Bixler, who is the wife of The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Avala, recently attacked Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong due to her ties to the Church of Scientology. She stated that Armstrong has ‘no right to fill the shoes of Chester Bennington, a true advocate.’ She also posted several other allegations.
Armstrong replacing Chester on Linkin Park’s new album, From Zero, has received a lot of criticism on social media. It has also sparked controversy as Critics highlighted Armstrong’s connection to the Church of Scientology and her alleged friendship with actor Danny Masterson, who was publicly accused by several women in November of 2017, including Carnell-Bixler. Masterson was later convicted.
Mike Shinoda addresses criticism
Shinoda addressed concerns during a Discord conversation and expressed his understanding of the public shock and outrage while urging for respectful discussion. He wrote: “Many people will take time to wrap their heads around us with her. If people are respectfully not there yet, I’m totally fine with that. But disrepect me, and you will lose my respect in return”
Talinda Bennington approves
Even Chester Bennington’s widow Talinda Bennington has indicated that she approves of the band choosing Emily Armstrong as their new vocalist. She shared a photo on her Instagram story on Monday to make it clear that she supported the band’s new lineup.
Linkin Park’s new album From Zero will drop on November 15th. The have a six-date arena tour on this year in Los Angeles, New York, Germany, London, South Korea and Colombia.
