Linkin Park’s newest member Emily Armstrong has been accused supporting convicted rapist Danny Masterson hours after the band announced it latest tour.
The band — who had hit songs such as ‘In The End’ and ‘Lost’ in the 00s — thrilled fans as they revealed that the Dead Sara rock singer, 38, will be join the band as their new vocalist.
Linkin Park – comprised of Mike Shinoda, 47, Brad Delson, 46, and 47-year-old Dave Farrell – revealed plans for a world tour and a new album on Thursday when announcing their new lead vocalist.
But soon after, accusations emerged that Armstrong was associated and attending events held by the Church of Scientology. Then her links to ‘That 70s Show’ star Masterson emerged.
The Los Angeles-born musician was photographed attending the Church of Scientology’s 44th Anniversary Gala back in 2013.
Cedric Bixler-Zavala, a former Scientologist and member of the band Mars Volta, has also taken to social media to allege that Armstrong is a member of the ‘cult’.
He also accused Armstrong of supporting Masterson – a Scientology supporter – during his rape trial and attempting to silence his wife Chrissie Carnell Bixler after she came out as one of the rapist’s victims.
Furthermore, the Mars Volta musician alleged Armstrong had attempted to ‘coerce’ one of the Jane Does associated with the trial and ‘had to be escorted away by guards’.
In an Instagram story shared by Chrissie, a message written by Cedric reads: ‘I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Masterson’s behalf since your corny a** singer showed up to support him in the prelims.
‘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.
‘Remember when we did the purification run down Emily? Were you directed to safepoint me cuz of what my wife knew? Why can’t you shut your mouth during a detox program where people are going through some rough shit but your corny ass is singing like an unsupervised child?
‘Is it cuz you’re a born in Scientologist that gets a pass? How do you reconcile the homophobia found in the teachings of LRH’s [L Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder] book “Dianetics”? Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend?,’ he had ragefully written.
It remains unclear if Armstrong is still a member of the Church or if she still has any contact with Masterson.
The accusations have left fans enraged as many claim her addition to the band disgraces the memory of former frontman, Chester Bennington – a survivor of child sex abuse.
‘This person was one of Danny Masterton’s supporters, it’s a no from me,’ one Instagrammer stated.
While another shared their own experience and said: ‘As someone who was suicidal myself, I can’t support a band with a scientologist as vocalist. I’m really disappointed in you guys’.
A viewer also declared: ‘You picked a Scientologist that defends Danny Masterson? LP is truly dead.’
‘I was fine with her until I found out she’s big into Scientology and a close friend with Danny Masterson. That she actually went to court each day in support of him. Disrespectful to Chester and the pain that he put into his songs. No thank you!,’ another added.
One user also said: ‘Emily Armstrong is a Scientologist and she supported Danny Masterson. Chester must be turning over in his grave knowing he was abused too. Bravo Shinoda I’m done with LP.’
While another user went into deep detail about how disappointed they were: ‘I’m all for music and I think it’s great that you guys are doing stuff again but how can you choose someone as your vocalist that has ties to Scientology AND openly was in court defending a r4pis?
‘That’s just messed up knowing that Scientology doesn’t believe in psychiatry or mental health care. Chester advocated for mental health his whole life, also through his songs.
‘He was abused and advocated against it too. Seriously? I’m so disappointed in your choice of a person to sing emotional songs who is friends with a r4pist.’
Earlier this year, Masterson had been moved from maximum security prison Corcoran State Prison to the less harsh California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, according to reports.
The disgraced TV actor was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s.
He was sentenced in September by a Los Angeles jury to 30 years to life behind bars with the possibility of parole for two counts of rape with force, violence or fear of bodily injury.
He was previously set to serve his term at Corcoran State Prison, which famously housed Charles Manson.
That prison, which was built in 1988, houses some of California’s most dangerous prisoners and has a sizable population of Level 4 inmates in need of extra protection and supervision.