Emily Armstrong, new Linkin Park singer, responds after backlash for supporting Danny Masterson
Masterson was convicted of two different rapes in May 2023
Linkin Park‘s new singer responds to being slammed for backing the rapist Danny Masterson, claiming she misjudged the situation as she replaces Chester Bennington who died back in 2017.
Emily Armstrong was announced as the new vocalist to excited fans around the world before a delve deeper revealed her connections to the Church of Scientology and Masterson, who was convicted of raping two women in 2003.
The joy then turned to rage as fans slammed the band for recruiting her, alleging it disgraces the memory of Bennington who was a survivor of abuse when he was a child by one of his friends between the age of seven and 13.
So the sadness and despair of fans towards Bennington, committed suicide by hanging seven years ago is understandable, but Armstrong has insisted she misjudged the situation with Masterson as she bids to clear her name.
“Hi, I’m Emily,” Armstrong wrote on Instagram. “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.”
What did Danny Masterson do?
Masterson, who starred in That 70’s Show, was convicted in May 2023 of raping two women 20 years earlier when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ordered him to serve a minimum of two 15-year tariffs back to back for felony rape.
One of the survivors, speaking to the court, said that she still feels a need to hide in the closet or scream out of the window and added that she also has an extreme fear of the dark two decades later.
Olmedo said that Masterson, “steadfastly claimed his innocence, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal and that is why you are here today.”
Linkin Park‘s new singer responds to being slammed for backing the rapist Danny Masterson, claiming she misjudged the situation as she replaces Chester Bennington who died back in 2017.
Emily Armstrong was announced as the new vocalist to excited fans around the world before a delve deeper revealed her connections to the Church of Scientology and Masterson, who was convicted of raping two women in 2003.
The joy then turned to rage as fans slammed the band for recruiting her, alleging it disgraces the memory of Bennington who was a survivor of abuse when he was a child by one of his friends between the age of seven and 13.
So the sadness and despair of fans towards Bennington, committed suicide by hanging seven years ago is understandable, but Armstrong has insisted she misjudged the situation with Masterson as she bids to clear her name.
“Hi, I’m Emily,” Armstrong wrote on Instagram. “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.”
What did Danny Masterson do?
Masterson, who starred in That 70’s Show, was convicted in May 2023 of raping two women 20 years earlier when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ordered him to serve a minimum of two 15-year tariffs back to back for felony rape.
One of the survivors, speaking to the court, said that she still feels a need to hide in the closet or scream out of the window and added that she also has an extreme fear of the dark two decades later.
Olmedo said that Masterson, “steadfastly claimed his innocence, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal and that is why you are here today.”
Masterson‘s wife, Bijou Phillips, filed for divorce on September 18 and requested full legal and physical custody of their two children.
Masterson, incarcerated at California Men’s Colony, lodged an appeal against the sentence in January 2024.
Leave a Reply