Chester Bennington’s Son Says Mike Shinoda Is Erasing Father’s ‘Life and Legacy’ by Naming Emily Armstrong Linkin Park’s New Singer
The group has been on a hiatus since Bennington's death in 2017.
Chester Bennington’s son isn’t happy that his late father is being replaced in Linkin Park.
Last week, the band announced that Emily Armstrong is replacing Bennington as lead vocalist—and Bennington’s son, Jaime took issue with the news. On Monday, he took to his Instagram Story, slamming the band’s founder, Mike Shinoda. Bennington died by suicide in 2017 at the age of 41.
“People aren’t having a difficult time wrapping their heads around the prospect of Linkin Park reinventing itself,” Jaime wrote on IG. “They’re having a hard time wrapping their head around how you: 1). hired your friend of many years @emilyarmstrong to replace [Chester].”
Jaime then highlighted Armstrong’s alleged associations with the Church of Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison in 2023.
Jaime Bennington (son of Chester Bennington) denounces Emily Armstrong & Linkin Park pic.twitter.com/nqqJthUmrN
— Physical Media (@PhysicalMedia_) September 9, 2024
Jaime wrote that Linkin Park “has refused to acknowledge the impact of hiring someone like Emily.” He accused the group of “quietly eras[ing] [his] father’s life and legacy in real time,” also pointing to Armstrong officially joining the band during Suicide Prevention Month.
“You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself,” Jaime added.
Armstrong issued a response to the backlash on her IG Story, writing that she once supported an unnamed friend at a court hearing when she “shouldn’t have,” apparently implying Masterson.
Emily Armstrong, new vocalist of Linkin Park, has released a statement in regards to her past support of Danny Masterson. pic.twitter.com/yQoZYYrVnl
— State of the Scene (@SOTSPodcast) September 7, 2024
“I always try to see the good in people and I misjudged him,” she explained. “I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged as he was later found guilty.” She continued, “To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.”
On Sept. 5, Linkin Park announced that it had reunited with a new vocalist, Armstrong, and drummer, Colin Brittain after a seven-year hiatus. Brittain is set to replace the band's original drummer, Rob Bourdon who “decided to step away,” per the Associated Press.
It also appears that while guitarist Brad Delson will remain with the band, he won't go on tour. “I’ve always felt deeply connected to and proud of our live performances. Over the years I’ve realized I thrive most when I’m actively working with my bandmates behind the scenes––in the studio, collaborating on our new music, and helping build our live show,” he wrote in a statement on IG. He also announced his replacement for live shows will be Alex Feder.
The group debuted its new single, “The Emptiness Machine,” which will appear on their forthcoming album, Zero, slated for a Nov. 15 release.
The band is also gearing up for a 6-stop From Zero World Tour, which will kick off on Sept. 11 in Los Angeles and wrap on Nov. 11 in Bogota, Colombia.
