Former Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington’s son Jaime Bennington has slammed the American nu-metal band for roping in Emily Armstrong as their new vocalist, accusing the group’s co-founder Mike Shinoda of erasing his father’s “life and legacy in real time”.
In response to Shinoda’s statement about fans taking time to “wrap their heads around” the change, Jaime took to his Instagram Stories and came up with three pointers alluding to Armstrong’s past affiliation with the Church of Scientology and her history of supporting That ‘70s Show actor Danny Masterson, who was convicted last year for raping two women back in 2003.
“People aren't having a difficult time wrapping their head around the prospect of LINKIN PARK reinventing itself. They are having a hard time wrapping their head around how you: 1). Hired your FRIEND OF MANY YEARS @emilyarmstrong to replace @chesterbe knowing Emily's history in the church and her history as an ally to @dannymasterson is what it is,” Jaime, who is one of Chester’s six children, wrote.
Accusing Shinoda of not acknowledging the impact of “hiring someone like Emily” without an approval from fans, Jaime said, “NO acknowledgment of: the way you groom your fan base, @chesterbe, Chester's kids or family, my falling out with your wife @ANNASHINODA (who cannot be mentioned either), @dannymasterson victims, or even Emily's intimidation of those victims. And the list goes on. And on. And on. And.”
Jaime added that Linkin Park has betrayed their fans and that the band’s decisions “are not something people should acclimate to”. He concluded, “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 tone deaf and senile.”
The reunion of Linkin Park following Chester’s untimely death by suicide in 2017 with Armstrong as the lead vocalist has sparked major backlash amongst fans. Shinoda recently interacted with fans on Discord, expressing his concerns regarding the massive shock and outrage.
Armstrong, too, issued a statement, telling fans that she wants to “clear the air” about supporting Masterson. “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,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories, adding that she has stopped connecting with Masterson ever since the trials. “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 said.
