Linkin Park's new vocalist called out as scientologist + Danny Masterson supporter

[kjesta]

Well, what a mood whiplash we've been through in the past 24 hours! Initial excitement over Linkin Park's announcement of new music and two new additions to band has immediately gone sour as people have pointed out that the new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, is a member of Scientology and also friend and supporter of convicted rapist Danny Masterson.

Comments

[magnetic_rose92]

Linkin Park was really important for me as a teen and I was excited to see them come back with a female vocalist but this is just depressing. :(

And there's plenty of female rock vocalists out there who would have killed it too. Bonnie Fraser would have been great, for example.

[kjesta]

the bonnie fraser version of bleed it out is so good. just thinking of what could've been makes me so sad.

linkin park were super formative for me and as i've grown older, i've actually come to appreciate even more the weight of the lyrics, since in the beginning i didn't know of chester's abuse. it feels like a stupid hting to say, but i feel a little betrayed. even if they switch to a different singer now, this feels like such a slap in the face, bc they've shown their colours.

[sudols]

It's not stupid. Their music helped me get through my teen years. It does feel like betrayal, to us and Chester.

[crazyfreakyaj]

It is a fucking betrayal

[halloween1978]

Ooh I just listened to Bonnie and her version was much better than Emily's.

[gimmemoarjosh]

Same. I say this with complete sincerity and the reason why I have so much love and passion for them still, but they literally saved my life when I was a closeted and suicidal teenager.

As corny as that sounds, it is true.

[magnetic_rose92]

That's literally my experience too. Like I legit credit Linkin Park for the reason why I'm still alive because their lyrics and Chester being open about his struggles made me feel less alone. I'd literally read their interviews where Chester would talk about how terrible his past was and I'd be like "if he can live through that and be happy, I can do it too." His suicide really affected me because of that and it's the one celebrity death that I still get choked up about.

[gimmemoarjosh]

Same. All of it.

Him dying and the way he died, rocked my everything. I became suicidal after for a while, actually.

His death and how he died shook me like no other celebrity death. Especially because of the manner of which he died.

Now I'm welling up. Fuck!

[progression]

Nothing is corny if it saves your life, bb. We can joke about many things, but if something speaks to you and keeps you here, it’s amazing. ♥️

[gimmemoarjosh]

Thank you! <3

I've told that story many times and was always mocked. Well, mostly.

[halloween1978]

That's not corny at all. Their music is still saving my life. I've had really bad anxiety attacks and depression this summer, and listening to them helps calm me.

[gimmemoarjosh]

<3 and hugs for you!

Hope you're doing okay now. <333

[irajaxon]

not corny at all. music and art are important tethers for many of us, and anything that keeps us here is important and beautiful <3

[gimmemoarjosh]

I agree. Thank you as well for this comment. I was always shamed for this.

That was many years ago now, though. A lot of attitudes have changed regarding mental health issues these days.

Still a long way to go but comments like yours and those above, give me hope.

There is nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing.