Who is Linkin Park’s controversial new singer Emily Armstrong?-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

Linkin Park’s latest addition has already stirred up anger online (Picture: Getty)

As singer Emily Armstrong steps in as co-vocalist for the late Linkin Park frontman, Chester Bennington, the band is heralding in a new era.

The In The End hitmakers will embark on their first set of live performances in seven years later this month and release their eighth album, From Zero, in November.

Linkin Park has already released the lead single, The Emptiness Machine, as Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave ‘Phoenix’ Farrell and Joe Hahn, and new drummer Colin Brittain form the new version of the band alongside Armstrong.

But the new co-lead singer has not joined without controversy as outraged fans pointed out alleged links to the Church of Scientology as well as unproven support for disgraced actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.

As makes her debut in the mainstream, here is everything we know about the divisive singer at the forefront of Linkin Park’s revival.

Which band has Emily Armstrong come from?

Emily co-founded Dead Sara several years ago and appears as the frontwoman (Picture: Chelsea Lauren/REX/Shutterstock)

Emily Armstrong made a name for herself as the frontwoman for Los Angeles rock band Dead Sara alongside bandmates Siouxsie Medley and Sean Friday.

The band, which was co-founded by Armstrong in 2005, gained a devoted fanbase after they released their self-titled debut album Weatherman in 2012.

Now, after almost two decades with Dead Sara, the release of three albums and multiple US tours, Armstrong has made the leap to an even bigger stage with Linkin Park.

‘The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company, and the things we created.

‘We feel really empowered with this new line-up and the vibrant and energized new music we’ve made together.’

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has given his stamp of approval to Armstrong (Picture: AP/Invision)

‘We’re weaving together the sonic touchpoints we’ve been known for and still exploring new ones,’ Shinoda said in a statement behind the decision to take on Emily.

And in an interview with Billboard, Armstrong recalled her reaction to being asked to join them for the comeback tour.

‘I’m just like, “Cool, coo coo coo cool!” I had already talked to the people around me, and Dead Sara, who were like, “Absolutely. If they ask, it’s a no-brainer.”

‘I’d already put my feelers out just to make sure, and they were putting their feelers out on me,’ she explained.

The departure from Dead Sara, at least for now, marks a new phase in Armstrong’s music career.

How old is she?

The music artist is 38 years old.

Is she part of the Church of Scientology?

Armstrong has a verified past with the Church of Scientology, whose members also include the likes of Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

The Church, populated by Hollywood celebrities, has a controversial legacy with some critics labeling it a ‘cult’ that has been embroiled in various scandals since its inception. The website itself describes it as a ’21st-century religion’.

In 2023, actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini sued the Church of Scientology for ‘harassment, surveillance and defamation’. The Church called the lawsuit ‘ludicrous’.

Emily Armstrong (L) and rocker Cedric Bixler-Zavala attended a Scientology event together in 2013 (Picture: Getty)

As for Armstrong, she was pictured at a Scientology event in 2013 and Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala recalled meeting Armstrong when he went to undertake a ‘Purification Rundown’, as per an interview with The Underground Bunker.

The singer has made no further comment about her links with Scientology in recent years so it remains unclear whether she still practices it.

Has she supported disgraced actor Danny Masterson?

Danny Masterson garnered the support of multiple celebrities (Picture: Getty)

That 70s Show star and convicted rapist Danny Masterson was also a lifelong Scientologist and one report from 2020 placed ‘longtime friend’ Armstrong attending court as a supporter.

Cedric’s wife, Chrissie Carnell Bixler, was one of Masterson’s accusers and Armstrong was one of the people he allegedly called out for supporting Masterson in a since-deleted Instagram comment.

Masterson was convicted in 2023 for the rape of two women in 2003. Armstrong has not made any public statement in support of him.

Metro.co.uk has reached out to Linkin Park for comment.

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