Emily Armstrong, the recently announced new lead singer of Linkin Park, has responded to accusations that she is a “rape apologist” for her previous support of convicted rape actor Danny Masterson. “I misunderstood him,” Armstrong said.
“Hi, it's Emily and although this is new to all of you, I wanted to clarify an incident that happened a while ago,” Armstrong said in a statement posted to her Instagram Story on Friday.
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“A few years ago I was asked to support a person I considered a friend in court and attended an early hearing as a observer. I quickly realized afterwards that I shouldn't have done that,” the new Linkin Park singer explained.
Armstrong added, “I have always tried to see the good in people but I misjudged him. I have never spoken to him since. Unthinkable details came to light and he was later found guilty.”
“To be as clear as possible, I do not condone abuse or violence against women and I empathize with the victims of these crimes,” Armstrong concluded in his statement.
As reported by Breitbart News, Linkin Park announced Armstrong as the band's new lead singer on Thursday, sparking backlash from fans due to Armstrong's previous support for Masterson, who was convicted of rape and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison last year.
This has been particularly contentious among fans, given that former Linkin Park frontman, the late Chester Bennington, was a victim of sexual assault as a child.
“From the lead singer who was the victim [sexual assault] To the lead singer who supports the guilty [sexual assault]”…I got it!” said one Instagram user. cried.
“Emily Armstrong being a rape apologist is awful, but the fact that Chester Bennington was a victim of SA is… [sexual assault] “This is going to get worse,” said another. lamented.
A third commented that Bennington, who died in 2017, “would not approve,” adding, “Emily Armstrong does not deserve the platform you guys gave her. Sadly I can't support you guys anymore. I've been here since the beginning.”
Fans have also criticized Armstrong's ties to the Church of Scientology.
“I want to support you guys but your new singer's ties to the Scientology, rape apologist, mental health care wrong, cult needs to be addressed,” said another. “If that's what she claims then I can no longer support the band, especially considering Chester's struggles in life with sexual abuse and mental health.”
“You guys need to mention Emily and Danny Masterson and the Scientology connection,” another fan chimed in.
“It's interesting that Linkin Park's new lead singer, Emily Armstrong, is a known member of the notorious Scientology cult and showed up in 2022 to support Danny Masterson at his trial where he was accused and later convicted of two counts of murder. [rape]” Another Written.
“This is so disappointing. Why do most 'celebrities' have to be freaking weird? Is it so hard to just be a normal person, condone rape and not join a weird cult? Shit,” said another. Commented.
“Holy crap! I didn't know anything about her until yesterday, but this is reason enough to not support this new era. [Linkin Park]I hope she doesn't take center stage forever,” said another. Reacted.
“It should also be noted that Chester Bennington was a victim of sexual abuse as a child, making this alternative choice particularly jarring,” another wrote. pointed out.
Another Written “Even if she doesn't believe Danny Masterson's story,” Armstrong is “a Scientologist who believes mental illness is a fraud and psychiatrists are criminals,” he said, adding, “That alone makes it disingenuous to suggest she is a successor to Chester Bennington.”
“Emily Armstrong was a Scientologist and was a close friend and advocate for Danny Masterson. Chester Bennington was sexually abused as a child and ultimately committed suicide while struggling with these issues. [demons]”How can this be allowed? Chester is probably rolling in his grave,” said another. Claimed.
As reported by Breitbart News, Bennington died at the age of 41 on July 20, 2017, after attempting to hang himself. Notably, the “In the End” singer had previously spoken about his past experiences of being abused by older men, which he said led him to consider suicide.
Alana Mastangelo is a reporter for Breitbart News. Follow her at Facebook And X is Follow,and Instagram.
