"Chester wouldn't have wanted this"- Linkin Park fans call out Emily Armstrong over alleged Danny Masterson and Scientology links

Singer-songwriter Emily Armstrong made headlines on September 5 after she was officially confirmed as Linkin Park’s brand-new co-vocalist alongside Mike Shinoda. The 38-year-old joined Linkin Park on Thursday during a live-stream concert in Los Angeles.

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Following her official confirmation, the band also dropped their latest single The Emptiness Machine, which was its first collaboration with Emily Armstrong. The song is part of Linkin Park’s upcoming studio album, From Zero, slated for a November 15 release.

In the wake of Emily Armstrong’s joining, the internet has claimed that she has allegedly been a member of the Church of Scientology and was seemingly present at their 44th Anniversary Gala in 2013.

Besides, the Dead Sara band co-founder was reportedly present during the trial of former actor and convicted r*pist Danny Masterson in 2022 to offer support.

Amid these claims, social media users are calling out Linkin Park and Emily Armstrong. For instance, X user @poppunkidi0t made a post where he pointed out that the band’s late lead vocalist Chester Bennington wouldn’t have approved Emily’s inclusion.

“Sick of seeing people excited about this new Linkin Park singer. Emily Armstrong is a known Scientologist and Danny Masterson supporter. Chester wouldn’t have wanted this, I know that,” the user wrote.

Several others made similar comments on the platform.

“Funny how Linkin Park’s new lead singer Emily Armstrong is a known member of the infamous Scientology cult and showed up to support Danny Masterson at his trial in 2022 where he was accused and was later found guilty of two counts of r*pe in 2024,” a person wrote.

“She showed up in support of Masterson at his trial - there are also photos of her at a Scientology Gala,” another person wrote.

“I was f*cking crying out of hype and excitement, only for all of that to be washed away the instant I saw this info doing a picosecond of research. Honestly, I'm angriest not even for myself but for the fact they're allowing this to tarnish the band's legacy,” one person wrote.

Others joined the conversation and slammed the band for having an alleged Danny Masterson supporter replace Chester Bennington, who was a victim of s*xual abuse.

“Oh no… what is Mike thinking?! Having a r*pist supporter as your new lead singer taking over for someone who was s*xually abused and ultimately took his life over?? Ummm??” a fan asked.

“... Well cr*p. First Neil Gaiman now this. This is especially horrifying since Chester was a victim of childhood s*xual abuse... really hoping Mike and the rest of the band didn't know at the time they selected her, but hoping they're made aware of it ASAP,” another fan wrote.

Some defended Emily Armstrong pointing out that she may have had alleged ties to Scientology in the past or went to support a friend during his trial, but that didn’t prove she was involved in any wrongdoing herself and deserved the benefit of the doubt.

“A single gala appearance from a decade ago, and an Instagram comment screenshot that is clearly altered. I don’t support Masterson or Scientology in any way, but even I can tell the “receipts” you have are a stretch. Feel free to block me, I’m not interested in an argument,” a netizen wrote.

“A thought occurred rereading... she went to support her friend, but is there any evidence she supported him after he was found guilty? Because it's one thing to support a friend who you think might be innocent and another to support him after he was proven to do awful stuff,” another netizen wrote.

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Exploring Linkin Park’s upcoming ventures

On Thursday, Linkin Park dropped their latest single The Emptiness Machine which is part of a full-length album From Zero set to release later this year under the label of Warner Records. The band’s last album One More Light unveiled in 2017, two months before Chester Bennington’s passing.

Apart from Emily Armstrong, another new member is joining the California-based rock group. Colin Brittain, a songwriter and producer for G Flip, Illenium, and One OK Rock is set to join as a lead drummer.

As per a band’s press release, the existing members attempted to “restart” following the shocking demise of Chester. While they collaborated with many musicians, they “found a special kinship with Armstrong and Brittain.”

“Before Linkin Park, our first band name was Xero. This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking. Sonically and emotionally, it is about past, present, and future — embracing our signature sound, but new and full of life. It was made with a deep appreciation for our new and longtime bandmates, our friends, our family, and our fans,” co-founder Mike Shinoda stated.

He also mentioned that their most recent single is meant to “channel the DNA” of the band and will mark their “journey ahead.” The lead guitarist added that Linkin Park is feeling “really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we’ve made together,” and called Emily and Colin “world-class talents.”

Linkin Park performed in Los Angeles for the first time on September 5 and is set to embark on an arena tour called From Zero World Tour this fall across New York, LA, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogota between September 11 and November 11.