Linkin Park’s new singer, Emily Armstrong, is speaking out regarding her alleged past involvement with the Church of Scientology, as well as recently volleyed accusations that she is a supporter of its member, convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
Armstrong, who was announced as the new singer for the band on Thursday, September 5, took to Instagram on Friday night, September 6, to seemingly address the matter, although she did not mention the That ’70s Show actor by name.
“Hi, I’m Emily,” she wrote on her Story. “I’m new to so many of you, and I wanted to clear the air about something that happened a while back.”
“Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer.
Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him.
I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.”
“To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes,” she concluded.
The criticism against Armstrong was led by Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, both former Scientologists.
Carnell-Bixler was one of several women who brought accusations of sexual assault against Masterson; he was not found guilty of her allegations, but was ultimately convicted of two of three forcible rape charges last year and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
