Chester Bennington's son disapproves of new Linkin Park vocalist Emily Armstrong, calls out co-founder Mike Shinoda
The son of the late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington expressed his disapproval over the band's new vocalist amid concerns about being a member of the Church of Scientology and claims of supporting a convicted rapist.
In a now-expired Instagram Story captured by outlets like Variety, Jaime Bennington called out Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park's co-founder who shared vocal duties with Bennington, days after Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara made her debut as the new vocalist on Sept. 6, Manila time. Drummer Colin Brittain also replaced Rob Bourdon.
"People aren't having a difficult time wrapping around the prospect of Linkin Park reinventing itself," Jaime said, as he listed several points.
He said Shinoda hired Armstrong, his "friend of many years," as a vocalist "knowing Emily's history in the church and her history as an ally to Danny Masterson."
The Tampa Bay Times in June reported that Scientology has strict beliefs against traditional mental health care and psychiatry.
The church's founder Rob Hubbard considered traditional mental health therapy and psychiatry as evil—and compared it to terrorism. Instead, the church believes distress can be handled through its courses and spiritual counseling.
Bennington died by suicide in 2017. He was sexually abused during his younger years.
Masterson, also a Scientology member, was convicted of raping two women in 2003 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison last year, or only after two decades amid the church's alleged attempt to silence the victims and interference.
'Quietly erased my father's life'
Jaime said Shinoda "quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time... during international suicide prevention month.”
He said Shinoda "refused to acknowledge the impact of hiring someone like Emily without so much as a clarifying statement on the variety of victims that make up your core fan base."
Jaime added that Shinoda didn't acknowledge several people, including the Bennington family, and his falling out with Shinoda's wife Anna.
He said he would tag Shinoda in the Story, but accused the latter of restricting interactions with him "because you don't like what I have to say."
In another story, Jaime said Linkin Park's actions are "not something people should acclimate to.”
"You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself," he said. "We trusted you to be the bigger better person," Jaime said. "To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you're just senile and tone-deaf. Insane."
'Need to give space' toward Armstrong
Ahead of Jaime's Story entries, Shinoda on Discord addressed concerns over Armstrong's hiring.
"Many people will take time to wrap their heads around us with her," Shinoda said, as seen in the screenshots of the Facebook fan page Linkin Park Live. "If people are respectfully not there yet, I'm totally fine with that. But disrespect me, and you will lose my respect in return."
Shinoda said there's a "need to give space for everyone who is shocked/processing" the new Linkin Park lineup, adding it's "difficult."
'I do not condone abuse'
Armstrong, for her part, shared a message on her Instagram Story on Sept. 6, saying, “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 explained that several years ago, she 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," Armstrong said. "I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged [Masterson]. I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.”
Armstrong and Brittain are joining original Linkin Park members Shinoda (vocals/rhythm guitar/keyboard), Brad Delson (lead guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), and Joe Hahn (DJ/turntable).
On Sept. 6, Manila time, Linkin Park held a livestream event to announce its new lineup.
The band performed its new single The Emptiness Machine, as well as several Linkin Park hits like Somewhere I Belong, In the End, and Faint.
At the tail-end of the show, Linkin Park announced that they have a new studio album, From Zero, coming out on Nov. 15.
Formed in 1996, Linkin Park is one of the most successful acts of the early aughts. It has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has won several accolades, including two Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, 10 MTV Europe Music Awards, and three World Music Awards.
The band went on a hiatus following Bennington's death.