Linkin Park’s newest member Emily Armstrong has responded to outrage over her connections to convicted rapist Danny Masterson, saying she was “supporting a friend” but “misjudged” the situation.
The band, who had hit songs including ‘In The End’ and ‘Lost’ in the 2000s, thrilled fans by revealing that rock singer Dead Sara, 38, will be joining the band as their new vocalist.
But hours after the announcement, Allegations arose that Armstrong was associated with and attended events organized by the Church of ScientologyThen came her ties to ‘That 70s Show’ star Masterson.
As a result, fans have expressed anger and disappointment at his new role, claiming that his addition to the band dishonors the memory of former frontman Chester Bennington, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
But Armstrong has now hit back at these accusations in a recent Instagram story.
Linkin Park’s newest member Emily Armstrong has responded to allegations that she supports convicted rapist Danny Masterson, saying she was “supporting a friend” but “misjudged” the situation.
Hi, I’m Emily. I’m new to many of you and I wanted to clear up an issue that happened a while back.
‘Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and I went to one of the first hearings as an observer. Shortly afterward, I realized I shouldn’t have done it. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken to him since.
‘Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.
“To put it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women and I stand in solidarity with the victims of these crimes,” she wrote.
Armstrong did not address allegations that she is associated with the Church of Scientology in history.
The Los Angeles-born musician was photographed attending the Church of Scientology’s 44th Anniversary Gala in 2013 alongside Cedric Bixler-Zavala, a former Scientologist and Mars Volta musician.
The Los Angeles-born musician was photographed attending the Church of Scientology’s 44th Anniversary Gala in 2013.
Cedric Bixler-Zavala, a former Scientologist and member of the band Mars Volta, also took to social media to claim Armstrong is a member of the “cult.”
He also accused Armstrong of supporting Masterson, a Scientology supporter, during his rape trial and of trying to silence his wife Chrissie Carnell Bixler after she came forward as one of the rapist’s victims.
The Mars Volta musician also alleged that Armstrong had attempted to “coerce” one of the Jane Doe’s associated with the trial and “had to be escorted out by guards.”
In an Instagram story shared by Chrissie, a message written by Cedric reads: ‘I’m surprised none of you have written a letter on Danny Masterson’s behalf since his cheesy singer showed up to support him in the preliminaries.
“Remember Emily? Remember how your Scientologist goon squad surrounded one of the Jane Does as she tried to exit the elevators? The court marshals had to escort her away from your horrible cult.
“Remember when we went on the cleansing tour, Emily? Were you directed to Safepoint because of what my wife knew? Why can’t you just shut your mouth during a detox program where people are going through hard times, but your corny ass sings like an unsupervised child?”
“Is it because you were born into Scientology that you get a free pass? How do you reconcile the homophobia found in the teachings of LRH’s (L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology) book “Dianetics”? Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend?” he had written angrily.
Chrissie Carnell Bixler was one of the women who accused Masterson of sexually abusing her.
That 70’s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s.
Masterson played the wisecracking Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show from 1998 to 2006.
Armstrong did not address allegations that she was associated with the Church of Scientology in the article.
That 70’s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s.
The 47-year-old Scientologist had no reaction when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo handed down her decision: 15 years for each felony rape charge, with the sentences to be served consecutively.
His wife, actress Bijou Phillips, 43, who had been at his side through two criminal trials, sat amid a somber group of Scientology friends and family during the sentencing.
Before handing down the sentence, Judge Olmedo told Masterson that while he had firmly maintained his innocence, “you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal and that is why you are here today.”
At the sentencing hearing, Jane Doe #1 called Masterson a “true coward and a heartless monster,” adding that to this day he suffers from an extreme fear of the dark and frequently wakes up crying.
Sometimes, she said, she hides in a closet or screams out the window: “I’m not okay.”
“I think life imprisonment is an appropriate sentence,” he concluded.
Earlier this year, Masterson had been moved from the maximum-security Corcoran State Prison to the less severe California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, according to reports.
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