In the few days since Linkin Park announced their return with a new vocalist, Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara, there’s been controversy over her connections to Danny Masterson (which she responded to) and scientology in general. Now, the late Chester Bennington’s son Jaime Bennington has also criticized the band (and Mike Shinoda in particular) for adding Armstrong to the lineup. In a series of Instagram stories, he wrote, “Hey Mike! People aren’t having a difficult time wrapping their head around the prospect of LINKIN PARK reinventing itself. They are having a hard time wrapping their head around how you 1) Hired your FRIEND OF MANY YEARS @emilyarmstrong to replace @chesterbe knowing Emily’s history in the church and her history as an ally to @dannymasterson is what it is.”
Jaime continues:
2). Quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time not only during a band interview meant to clear the air about certain aspects of LINKIN PARK’s history and future but during INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.
3). Have refused 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. No acknowledgement of: the way you groom you fan base, @chesterbe, Chester’s kids or family, my falling out with your wife @ANNASHINODA (who cannot be mentioned either), @dannymasterson victims, or even Emily’s intimidation of those victims. And the list goes on. And on. And on. And.
Jaime goes on to accuse Shinoda of having “betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself,” saying “now you’re just senile and tone deaf.” He also accuses him of having met Armstrong earlier than he says he did. You can see screenshots of all of Jaime’s stories below.
Shinoda and Linkin Park have not responded to Jaime’s claims at this time.
In her response to the backlash over her connection to Masterson, Armstrong wrote, “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. Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing an as observer. Soon after, I realized 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.”
