Following her debut as the new lead singer for Linkin’ Park, Emily Armstrong addressed her previous support for Danny Masterson.
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Linkin’ Park fans became aware of Armstrong’s involvement in Danny Masterson’s sexual assault trial after the band released new music. Former Scientologist and the Mars Volta musician Cedric Bixler-Zavala quickly called Armstrong out, noting she was present during Masterson’s trial and she is involved with Scientology.
Bixler-Zavala also stated that Armstrong as well as other Scientologists tried to silence his wife Chrissie Carnell Bixler after she came forward and said Masterson sexually assaulted her. Carnell Bixler testified against Masterson in 2022 and filed a separate lawsuit against the actor.
“I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Masterson’s behalf since your corny a– singer showed up to support him in the prelims,” Bixler-Zavala stated in an Instagram comment. “Remember Emily? Remember how your fellow Scientologist goon squad surrounded one of the Jane Doe’s when she was trying to leave the elevators? The court sheriffs had to escort her away from your awful cult.”
He also addressed Armstrong by stating, “Remember when we did the purification run down Emily? Were you directed to savepoint me cuz of what my wife knew? Why can’t you shut your mouth during a detox program where people are going through some rough shit but your corny ass is singing like an unsupervised child?”
Bixler-Zavala further called out the singer by adding, “Is it cuz you’re a born-in Scientologist that gets a pass? How do you reconcile the homophobia found in the teachings of LRH’s [L Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder] book ‘Dianetics’? Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend?”
Carnell went on to accuse Armstrong of being a “hardcore” Scientologist.
Emily Armstrong Admits She Once Supported Danny Masterson But Stopped Speaking to Him
After her ties with Danny Masterson and Scientology surfaced, the new Linkin’ Park lead singer spoke out about the situation.
In her Instagram Story, Armstrong admitted she had initially supported the actor during the trial but eventually walked away from Masterson.
“I always try to see the good in people and I misjudged him,” she said about Masterson. The singer did not share who she was referring to. “I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.”
She then added, “To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathise with the victims of these crimes.”
Masterson was found guilty of two counts of rape. Unfortunately, the jury could not reach a verdict on another rape count. He received the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He will be up for parole in 2042.
Armstrong debuted as Linkin’ Park’s lead singer last week. The band had been on hiatus since their original lead, Chester Bennington committed suicide in 2017.
Bixler-Zavala Responds to Armstrong’s Message
Bixler-Zavala responded to the statement by declaring, “If you’re not going to speak out against the human and child trafficking cult in which you are apart of and in which you enable by remaining silent on the crimes you know about then you have no right to fill the shoes of Chester Bennington, a true advocate.”
He further pointed out that he didn’t “give a f—“ that she is “very close to the serial rapist” and he claimed she lied in her message.
“I do care that you participated after being asked in the cruel intimidation of Jane Doe 1 with your cult pals at court,” he stated. “I do care that you didn’t once mention that you are a member of a chid and human trafficking cult that covers up the abuses and rapes of CHILDREN and adults.”
He then wrote, “I do care that your parents work for OSA (the office of special affairs) of the cult of Scientology which have been ordering attacks on me and my family which includes murdering my dogs in the most inhuman and evil ways.”
Bixler-Zavala added he does care about the Scientologists have been attacking and harassing his fellow sister survivors. “You don’t speak out against Scientology not because you’re terrified of them. You don’t speak out because you are one of them. Shame on Linkin’ Park.”