September 6th 2024.
Linkin Park's newest member has caused quite a stir online. As the band prepares for their first live performances in seven years, fans are buzzing with excitement and curiosity about their latest addition. Singer Emily Armstrong will be joining the band as co-vocalist, taking on the role previously held by the late Chester Bennington. This marks a new era for the In The End hitmakers, who will also be releasing their highly anticipated eighth album, From Zero, in November.
The band has already released their lead single, The Emptiness Machine, featuring Armstrong alongside original members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell, and Joe Hahn, as well as new drummer Colin Brittain. But Armstrong's arrival has not been without controversy. Some outraged fans have pointed out her alleged connections to the Church of Scientology and her rumored support for disgraced actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
As she makes her debut in the mainstream music scene, let's take a closer look at the divisive singer at the forefront of Linkin Park's revival. So where did Emily Armstrong come from? She co-founded the Los Angeles rock band Dead Sara in 2005, and has been the frontwoman ever since. Alongside bandmates Siouxsie Medley and Sean Friday, Armstrong and Dead Sara gained a devoted fanbase after the release of their self-titled debut album, Weatherman, in 2012.
After nearly two decades with Dead Sara, three albums, and multiple US tours, Armstrong is now taking on an even bigger stage with Linkin Park. According to the band, her talent and energy have added a new level of excitement to their music. "The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company, and the things we created," said Shinoda. "We feel really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we've made together."
And it's not just the band who approves of Armstrong's addition. Shinoda also gave his stamp of approval, saying "We're weaving together the sonic touchpoints we've been known for and still exploring new ones." In an interview with Billboard, Armstrong shared her initial reaction to being asked to join the band for their comeback tour. "I'm just like, 'Cool, coo coo coo cool!' I had already talked to the people around me, and Dead Sara, who were like, 'Absolutely. If they ask, it's a no-brainer.' I'd already put my feelers out just to make sure, and they were putting their feelers out on me," she explained.
Leaving Dead Sara, at least for now, marks a new phase in Armstrong's music career. At 38 years old, she has already established herself as a talented and respected artist in the rock scene. But fans have also been curious about her past involvement with the Church of Scientology, which counts Hollywood celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its members.
The controversial church, often labeled as a "cult" by critics, has been embroiled in various scandals over the years. In 2023, actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini filed a lawsuit against the church for "harassment, surveillance, and defamation," which the church called "ludicrous." Armstrong has been seen at Scientology events in the past, but it is unclear if she still practices the religion.
Another controversy surrounding Armstrong is her alleged support for Danny Masterson, a lifelong Scientologist and convicted rapist. In 2020, a report claimed that Armstrong, a longtime friend of Masterson's, was in attendance at his court hearing. Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose wife Chrissie Carnell Bixler was one of Masterson's accusers, called out Armstrong in a now-deleted Instagram comment for supporting Masterson. He was convicted in 2023 for the rape of two women in 2003, but Armstrong has not made any public statements in support of him.
The Agency has reached out to Linkin Park for comment on these controversies. If you have a story to share or any information about Armstrong or Linkin Park, please reach out to our entertainment team by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page. We would love to hear from you.
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