Chester Bennington's Son Slams Linkin Park for Hiring New Vocalist, Says Band Has 'Betrayed the Trust' of Fans
On Sunday, Sept. 8, Jamie Bennington posted a series of Instagram Stories sharing his disapproval of the rock group's lineup change
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Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington perform in Ohio in May 2015Chester Bennington's son Jamie has shared his disapproval of Linkin Park's new singer.
On Sunday, Sept. 8, the late musician's son slammed the "Numb" band in a series of Instagram Stories for hiring Dead Sara's Emily Armstrong as co-vocalist after his father died by suicide.
In since-expired Instagram Stories viewed by Variety, Jamie took aim at Armstrong's ties to the Church of Scientology and her support of Danny Masterson, who was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023.
He had additional criticisms of Linkin Park, saying they “failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base” and that they “betrayed the trust” of the fanbase who “trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention.”
Jamie concluded by calling the "What I've Done" outfit "tone deaf.”
In his posts, the late artist's son also claimed that Linkin Park's co-founder Mike Shinoda had “quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time… during international suicide prevention month.”
Related: Linkin Park Reunites — Adding New Singer Emily Armstrong — 7 Years After Chester Bennington's Death
On Thursday, Sept. 5, Linkin Park, which now includes Shinoda, Armstrong, Colin Brittain, Brad Delson, Phoenix and Joe Hahn, announced their first new album in seven years with From Zero, which is due Nov. 15. They also shared their blistering new single "The Emptiness Machine.”
Shortly after news of Armstrong joining the band was reported on Friday, the Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala — whose wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, was one of several women who accused Masterson of sexual assault — resurfaced allegations on social media that Armstrong had supported the That '70s Show actor, 48, ahead of his 2020 trial.
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James Minchin III
Linkin Park in 2024On Friday, Sept. 6, Armstrong shared a statement on her Instagram Story in an effort "to clear the air" about her previous support of Masterson, per Rolling Stone.
“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,” she wrote, adding that she hasn’t spoken to Masterson since. “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."
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