Linkin Park’s newest member Emily Armstrong has responded to outrage over her connections to convicted rapist Danny Masterson – claiming that she was ‘supporting a friend’ but ‘misjudged’ the situation.
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.
But hours after the announcement, 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.
As a result, fans expressed rage and disappointment over her new role – claiming her addition to the band disgraces the memory of former frontman, Chester Bennington – a survivor of child sex abuse.
But Armstrong has now hit back against these accusations in a recent Instagram story.
Linkin Park’s newest member Emily Armstrong has responded to accusations of her supporting convicted rapist Danny Masterson – stating she was ‘supporting a friend’ but ‘misjudged’ the situation
‘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 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,’ she wrote.
Armstrong did not address the accusations of her being associated with the Church of Scientology in the story.
The Los Angeles-born musician was photographed attending the Church of Scientology’s 44th Anniversary Gala back in 2013 along with Cedric Bixler-Zavala, a former Scientologist and the Mars Volta musician
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.
Read More
Linkin Park announce NEW lead singer Emily Armstrong and world tour
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.
Chrissie Carnell Bixler was one of the women who had accused Masterson of sexually abusing her
That 70’s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s
Masterson played wise-cracking Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show from 1998 to 2006
Armstrong did not address the accusations of her being associated with the Church of Scientology in the story
That 70’s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s.
The 47 year-old Scientologist had no reaction as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo handed down her decision – 15 years for each felony rape, with the sentences to run consecutively.
His wife, actress Bijou Phillips, 43 – who had been at his side through two criminal trials – sat amid a grim group of Scientology friends and family members during the sentencing.
Before passing sentence Judge Olmedo told Masterson that although he had ‘steadfastly claimed his innocence….you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal and that is why you are here today.’
At the sentencing trial, Jane Doe #1 called Masterson a ‘true coward and heartless monster,’ adding that to this day she suffer from an extreme fear of the dark and frequently wakes up crying.
Sometimes, she said, she hides in a closet or screams out the window: ‘I’m not okay.’
‘I think life is an appropriate sentence,’ she concluded.
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.