Emily Armstrong, the new Linkin Park singer, has spoken out about her past link to Danny Masterson during his recent sexual assault trial.
On Friday (Sep. 06, 2024), Armstrong posted a statement on her Instagram Story to “clear the air about something that happened a while back.” This came after she faced criticism for seemingly supporting Masterson at a 2020 preliminary hearing.
“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,” Armstrong stated.
Armstrong’s statement follows a recently resurfaced comment by Cedric Bixler-Zavala, husband of Masterson accuser Chrissie Carnell-Bixler. He called out Armstrong’s support for the That ’70s Show star and her alleged ties to Scientology.
“Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend,” Bixler-Zavala wrote. He added: “I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Mastersons behalf since your corny ass singer showed up to support him in the prelims. 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… How do you reconcile the homophobia found in the teachings of [church founder L. Ron Hubbard’s] book Dianetics?”
All Armstrong really does say in her statement is that she misjudged a friend, does not condone abuse or violence against women, and can empathize with the victims. She does not name Masterson or even condemn what he did.
As Yashar Ali points out, “Emily says nothing here about Scientology. No attempt to distance herself from a ruinous, evil, and criminal organization. Even to lie about it. She is a high-level militant Scientologist who remains closely connected to some of the most powerful Scientologists—people you have never heard of.”
“Second, she doesn’t apologize to the women who survived Danny Masterson’s predation, women she attempted to intimidate at a court hearing.”
While Masterson wasn’t found guilty of Carnell-Bixler’s claims, he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison last September after being convicted on two of three forcible rape charges.
Linkin Park announced on Thursday that they’re reuniting with Armstrong as their new lead singer, seven years after Chester Bennington‘s death by suicide.
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