Linkin Park's return: New frontwoman's Scientology scandal

In September this year, news spread worldwide that Linkin Park, one of the most influential rock bands of the 2000s, was making a return seven years after the tragic death of their frontman, Chester Bennington. During their career, the band won the hearts of millions with hits like "Numb" and "In the End," skillfully combining aggressive metal riffs with hip-hop beats.

However, the band's return comes with a new configuration. Two new members have joined the original lineup: drummer Colin Brittain and vocalist Emily Armstrong, who shares vocal duties with Mike Shinoda. Since this decision was announced, Armstrong has been a subject of criticism due to her alleged ties with the Church of Scientology and past acquaintance with actor Danny Masterson, who was convicted of sexual offenses.

Emily Armstrong, born in 1986 in Los Angeles, is best known as the lead vocalist of the band Dead Sara, which gained recognition on the rock scene. At the age of 12, she began playing guitar, sparking her passion for music. She soon left school to pursue music, with the support of her parents.

Armstrong debuted with the band Dead Sara in 2002, and their hit "Weatherman" from 2011 gained popularity thanks to her energetic performances and her distinctive, raspy voice. Although Dead Sara never achieved major commercial success, Emily earned recognition from figures like Dave Grohl, who predicted her band could become "the next big rock band."

In 2021, Dead Sara released their latest album "Ain't It Tragic," and Armstrong continued her music career by collaborating with Demi Lovato on her rock album "Holy Fvck." However, joining Linkin Park in 2024 was her biggest step onto the international stage.

The first single featuring Emily Armstrong, titled "The Emptiness Machine," was released on September 5, 2024, and received mixed reactions. While many fans appreciated her energy and vocal abilities, there were also critical voices. Some considered the addition of a new vocalist as a "betrayal" of Chester Bennington's memory, including his son Jaime Bennington, who accused the band of attempting to erase his father's legacy.

In response to the criticism, Shinedown's vocalist, Brent Smith, defended Linkin Park, reminding everyone that Chester Bennington is irreplaceable, but fans should give the band a chance for a new chapter.

The biggest controversies surrounding Emily Armstrong have been her alleged ties with the Church of Scientology and her past acquaintance with actor Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2023 for rape. Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the vocalist of Mars Volta, accused Armstrong of supporting Masterson and participating in Scientology abuses, causing a wave of criticism.

Scientology has been controversial for years due to its secretive and restrictive practices, which reportedly include witness intimidation and crime cover-ups. Cedric Bixler-Zavala, husband of Chrissie Carnell-Bixler and a former Scientologist, accused Armstrong of collaborating with the Church to intimidate one of Masterson's victims. He publicly criticized her for not clearly distancing herself from the organization, claiming her affiliation with the Church prevents her from fully condemning Masterson.

During the trial, Armstrong appeared as an observer at one of the early hearings, which caused outrage. Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, one of Masterson's victims and a former Scientologist, publicly condemned Armstrong, accusing her of participating in witness intimidation.

In response to the allegations, Armstrong released a statement distancing herself from Masterson, emphasizing her support for crime victims and stating that she never endorsed violence against women. She also expressed regret for supporting Masterson, admitting that she "always tries to see the good in people," but was "mistaken about his character."

Although Armstrong has not directly addressed her ties with the Church of Scientology, numerous reports indicate her close connections with this controversial organization. Armstrong was present at the 44th-anniversary gala of the Church of Scientology in 2013, where she appeared alongside other well-known members like John Travolta and Erika Christensen. Aaron Smith-Levin, a former Scientologist and creator of the channel "Growing Up Scientology," claimed in one of his videos that Armstrong is "still a Scientologist." He suggested her Church affiliation might have influenced her decision to support Masterson, as he remains on good terms with the organization.

The question of Emily Armstrong's connections to the Church of Scientology remains unanswered. Her parents, including her mother Gail Armstrong, played significant roles in the church, and Emily herself was seen at Scientology events, including the Church's 44th-anniversary gala. Though Armstrong has never publicly commented on her affiliation with this organization, fans speculate that her lyrics, such as the song "Heaven's Got A Back Door," may indicate a turning away from the organization and a critical view of Scientology's religious doctrines.

The vocalist identifies as queer—a term L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, labeled as "perversion." However, the modern Church claims it "does not dictate sexual preferences" and denies accusations of homophobia. Yet in 2018, Armstrong sang bitter words about religious attitudes towards sexuality in her song "Heaven's Got A Back Door":

"I've heard the preacher's voices / Telling me all the reasons I'll die alone... I'm done with regretting / For things I can't choose."

Fans speculate that such lyrics may suggest Armstrong has left the Church of Scientology, but breaking ties with the organization could be a traumatic experience for her, involving the need to cut off from family members.