Jimmy Bennington, the son of former Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, has criticised the band's decision to bring in Emily Armstrong as their new vocalist.
Armstrong, who co-founded the rock band Dead Sara, made her first live appearance with Linkin Park on September 5 alongside new drummer Colin Brittain. The highly anticipated reveal comes amid news of the group's first new music release since the death of lead singer Chester Bennington, a new album and a supporting tour called “From Zero.” Bennington died by suicide in 2017.
Jamie expressed his disapproval on Instagram on Monday, writing in a Story post that Linkin Park founder Mike Shinoda “quietly erased my father's life and legacy in real time… during International Suicide Prevention Month.”
He wrote several long paragraphs that shed light on Armstrong's past, noting her ties to the Church of Scientology as well as her support for Danny Masterson, who was convicted of raping two women and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023.
Jamie Pennington on Instagram. (@Thepicturepiecesarchive/Instagram)
Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife, Chrissy Carnell Bixler, one of several women who have accused Masterson of sexual assault, also spoke out against Armstrong. Bixler-Zavala shared a previous post he wrote last year on Dead Sara's Instagram page, saying, “Do your fans know your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend.”
Both Bixler-Zavala and Carnell-Bixler, former Scientologists, said the church harassed them over their allegations against Masterson.
Jamie added that Linkin Park had “failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base” and that the band's recent actions were “not something people should be comfortable with.” He added that the band had “betrayed the trust” of their fan base who “trusted you to be the bigger better. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention.” He concluded by saying, “Now you're just demented and deaf.”
Jamie Pennington on Instagram. (@Thepicturepiecesarchive/Instagram)
Armstrong's appointment and Linkin Park's new album “From Zero” have also sparked backlash among fans. Shinoda addressed the concerns during a Discord chat, expressing understanding for the public shock and anger while urging respectful discussion.
On September 6, Armstrong released her own statement, telling fans she “wanted to clear the air” about supporting Masterson.
“I was asked to support someone I considered a friend in court, and I went to one of the early hearings as an observer. Shortly after, I realized I shouldn’t have done that,” she wrote, adding that she has not been in contact with Masterson since. “Let me be as clear as possible: I do not support abuse or violence against women, and I sympathize with the victims of these crimes,” she said.
Linkin Park, which includes Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix, Joe Hahn, Armstrong and Brittain, is set to embark on a six-date tour that includes concerts in Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul and Bogota. The band is set to release its new album on November 15.
