Emily Armstrong, the new singer in Linkin Parkhave spoken out to take up their ties to Danny Masterson who was recently found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Without naming the actor, Armstrong shared a statement to her Instagram story on Friday to “clear the air about something that happened a while ago,” following criticism of her perceived support of Masterson at a 2020 preliminary hearing.
“Several years ago I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance and went to an early hearing as an observer,” she explained. “Soon after I realized I shouldn’t have done it. I always try to see the good in people and I misjudged him. I’ve never spoken to him since. Unbelievable details emerged and he was later found guilty.
“To make it as clear as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes,” Armstrong added.
Armstrong’s statement comes after Masterson accuser Chrissie Carnell-Bixler’s husband Cedric Bixler-Zavala called out her support for the That ’70s Show alum, as well as her alleged ties to Church of Scientologyin a recently reproduced commentary.
“Do your fans know your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend,” Bixler-Zavala wrote, adding, “I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Masterson’s behalf because your ass singer showed up to support him in the primaries .Do you remember how your scientologist group surrounded one of the Jane Does when she tried to leave the elevators the court sheriffs had to escort her away from your horrible cult… How do you reconcile the doctrine of [church founder L. Ron Hubbard’s] book Dianetics?”
Despite being found not guilty of Carnell-Bixler’s charges, Masterson was convicted of two of three counts of rape.
Linkin Park’s original frontman Chester Bennington died seven years ago by suicide. The band announced Thursday that they are reuniting for a tour and a new album starring Armstrong.