The music world was rocked last week when Linkin Park announced their new line-up, featuring singer Emily Armstrong. However, not everyone was thrilled with the news, as Jaime Bennington, the son of late Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, criticized the band for replacing his father with Armstrong.
In an emotional Instagram post, Jaime accused the band’s founder, Mike Shinoda, of erasing his father’s life and legacy by introducing the new line-up without addressing the concerns of their diverse fan base. He also referenced allegations about Armstrong’s ties to Scientology and her alleged support of actor Danny Masterson during his 2020 rape trial.
Armstrong, who was previously known as the frontwoman of LA rock band Dead Sara, made her live debut with Linkin Park at a recent performance. However, questions arose about her past support of Masterson, prompting Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala to call her out on social media.
In response, Armstrong issued a statement clarifying her past actions and expressing regret for supporting someone she later realized she shouldn’t have. Despite the controversy, Linkin Park did not comment on the accusations, leading Jaime Bennington to criticize the band for not taking accountability for their actions.
Meanwhile, Linkin Park’s lead guitarist Brad Delson announced that he will not be playing with the band on their upcoming tour, opting to work behind the scenes in the studio instead. Guitarist Alex Feder will take his place for the live shows.
As the music world grapples with these changes, fans and critics alike are left wondering about the future of Linkin Park and how they will navigate the challenges ahead.
