- Emily Armstrong was unveiled as the band’s new co-lead singer at a concert last week
- Armstrong’s hiring was mired in controversy due to her previous links to convicted rapist Danny Masterson and her involvement with Scientology
- Jaime Bennington blasted singer Mike Shinoda in a lengthy Instagram story
Jaime Bennington, the son of late Linkin Park lead frontman Chester Bennington, has ripped into his father’s ex-band members for hiring Emily Armstrong as the band’s new co-lead singer, accusing them of erasing his father’s legacy and betraying the trust of their fanbase.
The nu-metal outfit unveiled Dead Sara singer Armstrong as their new co-lead during a streaming concert last week, while announcing their first new material since Bennington’s passing in 2017. Only the announcement wasn’t as well received as the band would have liked.
Armstrong is a member of the Church of Scientology and had previously shown her support to fellow member and convicted rapist Danny Masterson when the former actor was standing trial for rape in 2022. Despite since distancing herself from Masterson in a statement released on her Instagram story, Armstrong is yet to convince everyone that her appointment was the right move.
Included prominently in that group is Jaime Bennington, who took to Instagram to express his disgust with his father’s former bandmates.
Bennington takes aim at Armstrong’s involvement with Scientology as well as the fact the appointment has been made during International Suicide Prevention Month, referencing his father who tragically took his own life seven years ago. Linkin Park’s co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda bears the brunt of Bennington’s outrage, as the Instagram story continues, “You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself.
“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 senile and tone deaf. Insane. At this point, I would wager that all you LP guys know is disrespect. You didn’t trick me!!”
Bennington finishes by hinting that the band have in fact been planning new material for a number of years, after he believes an interview with music journalist and presenter Zane Lowe proved. In his closing statement, Bennington exclaims, “I know your pattern. I saw what you did.”
Linkin Park are set to release their new album, From Zero, in November, featuring lead single Emptiness Machine, which was unveiled last week along with Armstrong’s debut as part of the band.
