New LINKIN PARK singer Emily Armstrong has released a statement addressing her past public support for actor Danny Masterson, who was convicted of rape and sentenced to 30 years in prison last September.
Armstrong was among those who showed support for Masterson years ago, even appearing outside the courthouse to rally for him during the early stages of his legal battle.
Both Armstrong and Masterson are known to be followers of Scientology. Armstrong has previously faced public criticism, notably from Cedric Bixler-Zavala of THE MARS VOLTA, over her ties to Scientology and her backing of Masterson.
Bixler-Zavala, who was once associated with Armstrong during his time in Scientology, has personal connections to the case. His wife, Chrissie, also a former Scientologist, was among the women who accused Masterson of raping her in incidents alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2003.
Following the official announcement on September 5th that Emily Armstrong would be replacing the late Chester Bennington as the new vocalist for LINKIN PARK, Cedric and Chrissie Bixler-Zavala took to social media to express their disapproval. They condemned the band, pointing to Armstrong’s ties to Scientology and her past support for Masterson as deeply concerning.
In a newly-released statement, Armstrong has addressed her previous public support for Masterson, stating: “Hi, I’m Emily. I’m new to so many of you, and I wanted to clear the air about something that happened a while back.
“Several years ago, 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. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.
“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.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.