Emily Armstrong, the new vocalist for Linkin Park, is addressing criticism regarding her previous support for Danny Masterson, who was convicted of sexual assault. Armstrong, co-founder of Dead Sara, took to Instagram on Friday (September 6) to clarify her past actions following comments from Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta. Bixler-Zavala had reportedly criticised Armstrong for attending preliminary hearings in Masterson’s 2020 sexual assault trial. Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, his wife, was among those who accused Masterson of sexual assault.
In her Instagram Story, Armstrong wrote, “Hi, I’m Emily. 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 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. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.”
She added, “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.”
https://www.instagram.com/stories/emilyarmstrong/3451527381347257919/?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=cmhiazVleGMzMWlv
Linkin Park made a major announcement on September 5, introducing Armstrong as the new co-vocalist alongside Mike Shinoda and Colin Brittain as the new drummer and co-producer. Following this reveal, Bixler-Zavala reportedly shared screenshots on Instagram of his previous comments about Armstrong’s past support for Masterson and her association with the Church of Scientology.
Bixler-Zavala commented last year on Dead Sara’s Instagram, “Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend. 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,” informs Billboard.
In a separate Instagram post on Friday, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler reportedly accused Armstrong of being a “hardcore Scientologist who supported convicted serial rapist both in and out of court.” She continued, “Emily Armstrong is a true believer of the Scientology cult/criminal organisation that engages in human and child trafficking, child and elder abuse, the coverups of countless [sexual assaults] on children and adults.”
In September of last year, Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the rape of two women in the early 2000s. While he was not convicted on charges related to Chrissie Carnell-Bixler’s allegations, she is reportedly still pursuing a civil suit against him.
Comments
0 comment