Meet Emily Armstrong, Linkin Park’s controversial new vocalist with ties to Scientology

Sep 11 , 2024

Linkin Park’s new vocalist Emily Armstrong is in hot water due to Scientology allegations. Photos: @linkinpark/X, @emilyarmstrong/Instagram

The Dead Sara musician has been accused of being tied to the Church of Scientology, and she also supported convicted rapist Danny Masterson

Iconic noughties rock band Linkin Park has a new vocalist … and she allegedly has ties to the Church of Scientology. The band recently announced their comeback seven years after the tragic passing of lead vocalist Chester Bennington by suicide. However, several controversies around new frontwoman Emily Armstrong have marred their return.

Linkin Park introduced the new vocalist alongside drummer Colin Brittain to mixed reactions. (Brittain joined after founding member and drummer Rob Bourdon also left the band.) While some fans lauded Armstrong following the release of the band’s new song “The Emptiness Machine”, others commented that replacing Bennington is disrespectful.

Chester Bennington’s son Jaime Bennington also shared his disappointment through an Instagram Story directed at Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda, claiming he had “quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time” by hiring Armstrong despite the gravity of the accusations against her.

So, who is Emily Armstrong – and just why is she so controversial?

Emily Armstrong co-founded the band Dead Sara

Emily Armstrong was part of the band Dead Sara. Photo: @emilyarmstrong/Instagram

Emily Armstrong is no newcomer to the music scene. The LA native realised her love for music at 12 after she got a guitar for her birthday, and ultimately dropped out of school to pursue it, per BBC. Her band Dead Sara, which she formed at 16 with her friend Siouxsie Medley, received accolades from Dave Grohl and Courtney Love.

How did Emily Armstrong get into Linkin Park?

Linkin Park is returning with the addition of two new members. Photo: @Tidal/X

The 38-year-old first encountered Linkin Park in 2019, when the band invited her for a try-out. “When I started to hear Emily’s voice on things, my brain, it was like the first time that my brain would accept it as a Linkin Park song,” said Shinoda, per BBC. For the band’s DJ Joe Hahn, it was her scream that sealed the deal. By 2023, she was recording with Linkin Park and officially debuted as a member this September.