Getty Image / Timothy Norris
Linkin Park has been dominating headlines for days after band co-founder Mike Shinoda re-formed the band with new parts in place for a performance that was live-streamed to fans. Controversial singer Emily Armstrong replaced the late great Chester Bennington and drummer Colin Britain was slotted into the band. Days after the Linkin Park performance where ‘Numb’ went viral (video below), Chester Bennington’s son is calling out Mike Shinoda for erasing his father’s legacy in real-time.
There are a lot of moving parts to this story so let’s first start with the controversy that began before Linkin Park ever re-took the stage last weekend with singer Emily Armstrong.
What Is The Controversy Surrounding Linkin Park Singer Emily Armstrong?
She is a Los Angeles native and best known (before now) as the singer of the band Dead Sara and also as a former friend of Danny Masterson, the That 70s Show actor and Scientologist who was sentenced to 30 years to life following a rape conviction last year.
Armstrong is accused of supporting Danny Masterson throughout his trial and accused of having ties to the Church of Scientology. She addressed her ties to Masterson in a statement on Instagram:
“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 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.”
Emily Armstrong did not, however, address being born into the Church of Scientology, her parents being prominent and powerful members within the Church, and whether or not she still has ties to the Church of Scientology.
Chester Bennington’s Son Blasts Linkin Park Co-Founder Mike Shinoda
Following Chester Bennington‘s death in 2017 it was unclear if Linkin Park would ever re-form. He was the heart and soul of the band and his voice was irreplaceable.
Flash forward to present day and Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda retooled the band, bringing in Emily Armstrong as the lead singer and Colin Britain as the new drummer. They live streamed their first performance and it was met with the full array of reactions, with some hating her vocals and some just happy to hear the songs again. Across the spectrum, all of the reactions were powerful but the reaction from Chester Bennington’s son Jamie stands out.
Jamie Bennington took to Instagram Stories to call out Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda for ‘erasing his father’s legacy in real-time’ with a series of messages (screenshots via BuzzFeed):
Chester Bennington’s son wrote “(Fans) are having a hard time wrapping their head around how you hired your friends of many years Emily Armstrong to replace Chester knowing Emily’s history in the church. And her history as an ally to Danny Masterson is what it is.”
He went on to say “(You) 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.”
Jamie finished by saying “You have 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. Insane.”
What Happens Next?
This is a tough situation for everyone involved and it’s worth saying that everyone’s feelings are valid here…
I’ve sene it suggested that the surviving members of Linkin Park should have just formed a new band instead of bringing in new members and that might be the best suggestion I’ve seen so far but that’s still tricky. The original members have rights to that music and by keeping the Linkin Park name, presumably, Chester Bennington’s estate will still receive earnings from the upcoming tour dates and with a new band that might not have been the case.
The fact that the band itself hasn’t spoken up at all about Emily Armstrong’s ties to Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology is odd but she address the Masterson ties herself. Furthermore, Mike Shinoda is not obligated to address the accusations from Chester Bennington’s son but it feels like he will, at some point, as their lives are all inextricably linked to the late Chester Bennington.
Linkin Park currently has world tour dates lined up for Los Angeles, NYC, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogota all of which will happen between now and November 11th. Will Mike and the band release statements before then? Only time will tell.