New Linkin Park singer defends support for Danny Masterson

Emily Armstrong Responds to Criticism Over Alleged Support for Danny Masterson

Linkin Park’s Emily Armstrong has faced backlash for her alleged support of actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson in court. The musician has taken to social media to address the controversy.

Armstrong’s Statement on Social Media

Recently announced as the new vocalist for Linkin Park, Armstrong shared a message on her Instagram story to address the criticism she has received. In her post, she introduced herself to her new audience and explained a past incident that has come under scrutiny.

“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,” she wrote.

Armstrong acknowledged that she supported a controversial figure in the past but did not mention Masterson by name. She admitted to attending a court appearance as an observer for someone she considered a friend, only to later regret her decision. She emphasized that she does not condone abuse or violence against women and expressed empathy for victims of such crimes.

Representatives for Linkin Park chose not to comment on the situation when approached by Entertainment Weekly.

Linkin Park’s Return and Fan Reactions

Prior to this recent controversy, Linkin Park had been relatively inactive since the passing of singer Chester Bennington in 2017. However, the band made a comeback by releasing a new single after seven years and announcing Armstrong as their new lead vocalist for an upcoming album and world tour.

Fans initially reacted positively to Linkin Park’s return, especially after a well-received live-streamed performance with Armstrong. However, discussions about Armstrong’s past association with Masterson began to surface on social media.

Criticism from Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Chrissie Carnell-Bixler

Reports from Rolling Stone and Consequence of Sound highlighted criticism from Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, towards Armstrong. Chrissie, one of Masterson’s accusers, reshared a comment from her husband questioning Armstrong’s support for Masterson.

Bixler-Zavala’s comment referenced Armstrong’s presence at one of Masterson’s court appearances, implying a lack of support for the victims of sexual assault. However, a representative for Bixler-Zavala did not respond to Entertainment Weekly’s request for comment.

Legal Troubles for Danny Masterson

Danny Masterson faced legal charges for raping three women between 2001 and 2003. Despite initial legal challenges, Masterson was eventually convicted on two counts of rape in a retrial. His former ’70s Show co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis also faced criticism for supporting him during the trials.

FAQs

Q: What was Emily Armstrong’s response to the criticism she received?

A: Emily Armstrong addressed the controversy on social media, acknowledging her past support for a controversial figure and expressing her stance against abuse and violence towards women.

Q: How did fans react to Linkin Park’s return with Emily Armstrong as the new vocalist?

A: Fans initially responded positively to Linkin Park’s comeback, but discussions about Armstrong’s association with Danny Masterson led to mixed reactions on social media.

Q: What legal troubles did Danny Masterson face?

A: Danny Masterson was charged with raping three women in separate incidents, leading to a retrial where he was convicted on two counts of rape. His former co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis also faced backlash for supporting him during the legal proceedings.

Credit: ew.com