New Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong apologizes for supporting Danny Masterson – South Arkansas Sun

The new lead singer of Linkin Park has addressed online criticism of her previous support of Scientologists and The wild seventies Actor Danny Masterson, who was convicted of the brutal rape of two women in September 2023 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

After Linkin Park announced that Dead Sara singer Emily Armstrong had joined the band, the internet erupted with anger over her appearance at one of Masterson's first court hearings.

Now Armstrong has responded in an Instagram story post.

“Hi, I'm Emily,” she wrote. “I'm new to many of you and I wanted to clarify something that happened a while ago.

“A few years ago I was asked to assist someone I considered a friend in court and attended one of the first hearings as an observer. Soon after, I realized I shouldn't have done that. I always try to see the good in people and I misjudged him. I have never spoken to him since.

“Unimaginable details came to light and he was later found guilty.

“To be as clear as possible: I do not tolerate abuse or violence against women and I have compassion for the victims of these crimes.”

Masterson was convicted of raping two women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003 while starring in The wild seventies.

Former Scientologists, The Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler led the criticism of Armstrong. Carnell-Bixler was one of the women who accused Masterson of sexual abuse, but he was not convicted of that charge.

“Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your friend the rapist,” Bixler-Zavala wrote in a re-shared comment on Dead Sara's Instagram page. “I'm surprised none of you wrote a letter on behalf of Danny Masterson since your stupid singer showed up at the prelims to support him. Remember Emily? Remember how your Scientologist goon squad surrounded one of the Jane Does as she tried to exit the elevators? The court sheriffs had to take her away from your horrible cult… How do you reconcile the homophobia that is embedded in the teachings of [church founder L. Ron Hubbard’s] Book Dianetics?”

Chelsea Lauren

Masterson married singer and actress Bijou Phillips in October 2011 and the couple had a daughter together in 2014. However, Phillips filed for divorce after Masterson was sentenced to prison and reportedly left the Church of Scientology, of which she and Masterson were members.