After social media backlash, new Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong has addressed her apparent connection to convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
In an Instagram story post, Masterson doesn’t mention Masterson by name, only that she “misjudged him” further adding that she doesn’t “condone abuse or violence against women” and that she empathizes ” with the victims of these crimes”.
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 realized 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.
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.’
Emily Armstrong on Instagram
Armstrong’s public support of Masterson stemmed from her attending at least one trial hearing of the former actor back in 2020. Masterson was sentenced in 2023 to 30 years to life in prison for two of the three rape charges brought against him which are believed to have occurred at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003 when he was still filming episodes of “The 70’s Show”.
Former Mars Volta and At the Drive-In singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, who is believed to have been one of the women assaulted by Masterson wrote on the Dead Sara Instagram page (the band Armstrong was recruited to Linking Park from) last year in a recirculated post stating “Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend.” Bixler-Zavala added, “I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Mastersons behalf since your corny ass singer showed up to support him in the prelims. Remember Emily? 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… How do you reconcile the homophobia found in the teachings of [church founder L. Ron Hubbard’s] book Dianetics?”
Additionally, Masterson’s conviction isn’t believed to have been based on Carnell-Bixler’s accusations and instead the accusations of two other sexual assault victims.
Despite her response to the Masterson backlash, Armstrong has yet to address the Scientology accusations which honestly is also troubling considering the shitty history of the church. Not to mention it’s believed that Masterson was able to get away with his crimes for so many years because of the public power Scientology has.
