Linkin Park’s decision to recruit Emily Armstrong as their new vocalist has ignited a storm of controversy, sparked by her past ties to Scientology and support for convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
According to Lambgoat, Armstrong, formerly of the band Dead Sara, faced backlash after news surfaced that she had attended one of Masterson’s court hearings in 2020.
Masterson, a member of the Church of Scientology, was convicted of raping two women and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Armstrong’s appearance at his trial, coupled with her affiliation with Scientology, has led to criticism from various quarters, most notably from Cedric Bixler-Zavala, vocalist of At The Drive-In and The Mars Volta, and his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler.
Carnell-Bixler, who was among the women accusing Masterson of rape, voiced her outrage over Armstrong’s connections.
In a scathing post on Instagram, she accused Armstrong of being a devoted Scientologist who supports a criminal organization that engages in human trafficking, child abuse, and the cover-up of sexual assaults.
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She also pointed out that Armstrong’s involvement in Masterson’s trial was a part of the church’s broader intimidation tactics against victims.
Carnell-Bixler, who claims to have been harassed and stalked by the church and Masterson’s followers after making her accusations, called out Linkin Park for choosing Armstrong as the replacement for the late Chester Bennington.
According to Carnell-Bixler, Bennington, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, was deeply committed to fighting human and child trafficking, values that seem to clash with Armstrong’s alleged connections to Scientology.
As Carnell-Bixler put it, “Linkin Park just replaced Chester with a hardcore 2nd generation Scientologist.” She further highlighted the church’s history of homophobia, referencing L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings that labelled homosexuals as deviants.
The controversy intensified when Bixler-Zavala also spoke out against Armstrong.
In a separate statement on social media, he criticized Armstrong for her support of Masterson and failure to denounce Scientology.
Bixler-Zavala accused Armstrong of participating in the harassment of victims during the trial, including standing with other Scientologists as they intimidated one of the victims outside the courtroom.
He further expressed his disbelief that Linkin Park would not thoroughly vet their choice of vocalist, particularly considering Bennington’s legacy as an advocate against sexual abuse.
Bixler-Zavala’s post was filled with personal attacks, denouncing Armstrong’s apology as insincere and accusing her of being complicit in the actions of the Church of Scientology.
He also asked Linkin Park to remove At The Drive-In’s music from their preshow playlist, citing the band’s disagreement with Armstrong’s presence.
In response to the mounting backlash, Armstrong released a statement on Instagram attempting to clarify her involvement in the Masterson case.
She explained that several years ago, she had attended one of Masterson’s court hearings as a show of support for someone she considered a friend at the time.
However, she acknowledges that she misjudged the situation and regrets her decision.
Armstrong stated that she has not been in contact with Masterson since the trial and emphasized that she does not condone abuse or violence against women.
Armstrong’s statement did little to appease her critics, particularly Bixler-Zavala and Carnell-Bixler.
They continued to challenge her connections to Scientology, accusing her of being silent on the church’s alleged abuses.
In a follow-up post, Bixler-Zavala claimed Scientologists might distribute pamphlets at Linkin Park shows, highlighting his concerns about Armstrong’s influence on the band’s image and legacy.
This controversy has created a significant divide among Linkin Park fans.
While Armstrong’s debut with the band was initially met with enthusiasm, particularly with releasing a new single and announcing a world tour, the revelations about her past have cast a shadow over her role as the group’s new lead vocalist.
Some fans have expressed disappointment in Linkin Park’s decision, questioning whether the band’s leadership considered the full implications of Armstrong’s background before bringing her on board.
Armstrong’s association with Scientology and her perceived support for Masterson remain central to the criticism.
The Church of Scientology has long been accused of protecting its members from legal consequences, particularly in cases of sexual assault.
Many of Armstrong’s detractors believe that her continued involvement with the church conflicts with the values Linkin Park is known for.
According to Carnell-Bixler, Armstrong’s ties to Scientology run deep, with her parents also being members of the church’s Office of Special Affairs, an entity she claims has harassed her and other survivors of sexual abuse.
