'Betrayed the trust': Son of late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington slams the band's controversial reunion
Chester Bennington's son is not happy about the way the Linkin Park reunion is playing out.
Jamie Bennington has spoken out about the band's decision to bring on Emily Armstrong as the new lead singer following Chester's death in 2017.
Taking to Instagram to post a lengthy statement addressing the band's co-funder, Mike Shinoda, Jamie accused him of having "quietly erased my father's life and legacy" with the decision to bring on Armstrong.
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Jamie Bennington has publicly criticised Mike Shinoda for bringing in Emily Armstrong as the new lead singer of Linkin Park. Getty Images for Warner Music
Initially, the news of Armstrong joining the band was well received by fans, however it didn't take long for the internet to highlight her controversial association with the Church of Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
"You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself," he continued.
"We trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you're just senile and tone deaf. Insane."
Although Shinoda has not publicly addressed Jamie's criticisms, Armstrong has spoken out against the claims she still supports Masterson.
"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," she wrote on her Instagram story on September 7.
"Soon after, I realised I shouldn't have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since."
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Armstrong has spoken out against the claims she still supports Danny Masterson. Getty Images for Warner Music
She went on to explain that soon after "unimaginable details" emerged about the case, before clearly stating her stance.
"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."
Fans of the band have also questioned Armstrong due to her links to the controversial Church of Scientology which has questionable beliefs surrounding mental health, an issue close to the hearts of Linkin Park fans.
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Former Linkin Park lead singer, Chester Bennington, died by suicide in 2017. Getty
Not only is the topic a prominent theme in many of their songs, Chester Bennington also struggled deeply with his own mental health, leading to his death by suicide in 2017.
At the time of publishing, Armstrong has not spoken out against allegations linking her to the Church of Scientology, however, she is known to use her social media channels to advocate for the importance of mental health.
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