Linkin Park Slammed For Replacing Chester Bennington With Scientologist Who Allegedly Bullied Danny Masterson Rape Victim!

UPDATE 9/9/24 10:25 A.M. PST: New Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong has responded to the backlash over her support of rapist Danny Masterson.

After fans learned of the past accusations she had not only showed up at her fellow Scientologist’s preliminary hearing but actually threatened one of his assault victims who was testifying, she had a lot to answer for! How did she do? She took to her Instagram Stories pretty quickly Friday afternoon, writing:

“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.”

She says “observer.” Again, that’s not what’s been alleged. She continued by saying any support was a mistake:

“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.”

So she’s saying she assumed he was innocent until she saw the evidence and, like the jury, was convinced. Hmm.

Considering the Church of Scientology has been accused of trying to kill the story — and silence Masterson’s victims — for years before he finally was charged, that’s a pretty tough pill to swallow. We mean, she was a friend of his but also big in the church, so…

What do YOU think, fans??

Yeesh! That was a short-lived celebration!

Linkin Park announced their return in a live performance on Thursday. Seven years after the tragic death of frontman Chester Bennington, they’re back with a new singer — Emily Armstrong.

Emily, from the band Dead Sara, takes on the co-vocalist role in the new track The Emptiness Machine from upcoming album From Zero. The album, the band’s first release since 2017, is coming fast too — it’s out November 15. But forget two months — it only took a few hours for Linkin Park fans to decide this was a horrible choice.

No, it’s not a bunch of incel dudebros who hate the idea of Linkin Park going “woke” with a female singer… Although there probably is a lot of that, we didn’t really check. See, the issue is actually for all the conscientious fans who found out something extremely distasteful about Emily: she’s a Danny Masterson apologist. Even more than that, she’s a defender!

Yes, apparently Emily is a member of the Church of Scientology. And either in that role or as the That ’70s Show star’s friend, she allegedly bullied one of his victims!

Cedric Bixler-Zavala, singer from The Mars Volta and At The Drive-In, is married to one of Danny’s victims. And he previously blasted Emily on Dead Sara’s Instagram account, comparing the rockers to Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis as he wrote:

“I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Masterson’s behalf since your corny ass singer showed up to support him in the prelims.”

Ouch! But it gets worse! Cedric, who is himself a former Scientologist, explicitly accused Emily of bullying a victim at his hearing, saying:

“Remember Emily? Remember how your fellow Scientologist goon squad surrounded one of the Jane Doe’s when she was trying to leave the elevators? The court sheriffs had to escort her away from your awful cult… Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend?”

Oof…

Linkin Park fans had whiplash. The band was back, and just hours later it was the worst thing they could have done. Many were especially offended because she was defending a rapist — and the beloved singer she was replacing was a rape survivor. Chester opened up years ago about his childhood sexual abuse at the hands of an older boy. Would Emily have defended that guy if he was a Scientologist? Ick. See the responses from some hurt fans (below):

“the new linkin park vocalist being a scientologist okay whatever not great… but her going to danny masterson’s rape trial in support of him? yikes man”

“So it took like fifteen minutes for Linkin Park fans to figure out she is bats**t crazy and supported Danny Masterson in his rape trials, so either @linkinpark is just completely f**king clueless in their whole operation or they are cool with that. Not a good look either way ”

“Hey @linkinpark @mikeshinoda what the f**k, guys? You just hired a Scientologist and open Danny Masterson rapist supporter as your lead singer? F**king yikes.”

“Linkin Park has announced their new singer. They decided to pick a 2nd generation Scientologist and supporter/apologist for Danny Masterson, convicted rapist and Scientologist in good standing. Keep your kids away from their shows, the cult of Scientology will be recruiting.”

“‘Oh cool, Linkin Park is back, I’m kinda digging the new vocalist.’ *Does some research* Yall, she’s a Scientologist and defended Danny Masterson. Nah. I’m out. We don’t do rape apologists in this house. And considering what Chester went through, F**K ALL OF THAT.”

“Linkin Park getting a Scientologist (or former Scientologist) that was at any part of the Danny Masterson trial to support him to replace their dead singer who was famously raped and molested as a child is one of the most insane fumbles in music history”

“Mike replaces Chester, a childhood abuse victim who was struggling with depression his entire life, with a scientologist (who dont believe mental illness exist and that therapy is a scam) that supported Danny Masterson who was found guilty of 2 counts of r*pe. oof”

“With Chester having openly spoken out against !@#% like this, it’s disrespectful as hell.”