Linkin Park‘s reunion was not on most of our 2024 Bingo card but it ended up being one of the biggest moments in music this year. The band, reinventing themselves and replacing two of the past members including Chester Bennington, released a new album and a new tour, continuing the legacy of Bennington who died in 2017.
Though fans have been skeptical of new lead singer Emily Armstrong — who has replaced Bennington and has been singing his parts live — many fans have also embraced her as the newest member of the band. However, Chester’s son Jaime Bennington isn’t too happy about the replacement and has voiced his opinion on why it is disrespectful to replace Chester. Here’s what he said.
Jaime Bennington Criticizes Linkin Park For Replacing Chester Bennington
After Linkin Park announced their reunion with two new band members, thousands of fans all over the world reacted to the news with bittersweet emotions. While many were elated that the band would be putting out new music again, many expressed their feelings over Chester Bennington’s replacement with Emily Armstrong.
Bennington’s son Jaime Bennington took to his Instagram Story yesterday to share his views on the replacement, calling it disrespectful to his father’s legacy.
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“You quietly erase[d] my father’s life and legacy in real time… during international suicide prevention month and refuse to acknowledge the impact of hiring someone like Emily, without so much as a clarifying statement on the variety of victims that make up your core fan base,” Jaime wrote in the post.
“You betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself. We trusted you to be the bigger, better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you’re just senile and tone-deaf,” the post continued.
He continued and said the band had “failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base” referencing the allegations faced by Emily Armstrong and that it “betrayed the trust” of their fans.
He also voiced concerns over his own safety and said, “The audience themselves could be unsafe for me. … I do feel it’s necessary to acknowledge the severity of my situation, the ways in which people choose to interact with me. So many of these Linkin Park fans who will be attending have been cruel, unusual, and aggressive.”
What Controversy Is Emily Armstrong Facing?
Since Emily Armstrong was revealed as Linkin Park’s new lead singer, criticism has surrounded her Scientology connections. Claims that she supported those who were convicted and had ties to the church in the past have drawn harsh criticism from fans of the band.
The controversy intensified when she was seen attending one of Danny Masterson’s court hearings. Renowned Scientologist Masterson was found guilty by the court of raping two women and was given a 30-year prison sentence. Armstrong has come under fire from several individuals, including Cedric Bixler-Zavala of Mars Volta, whose wife accused Masterson of assault, who claims Armstrong has supported Masterson both inside and outside of the courtroom.
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Armstrong has made a statement regarding the controversy, saying, “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 realized I shouldn’t have. 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.”
Jaime also referenced Emily’s controversy in his statement and said, “You hired your friend of many years, Emily Armstrong, to replace Chester… knowing Emily’s history in the church and her history as an ally to Danny Masterson.”
