Thu Sep 12 09:52:00 UTC 2024: ## Linkin Park’s Reunion Met with Outrage from Chester Bennington’s Son

**Los Angeles, Sept. 10** – The reunion of American rock band Linkin Park has been met with controversy, with the son of late lead singer Chester Bennington expressing his strong disapproval. Jaime Bennington, 28, took to Instagram to criticize the band’s decision to replace his father with Emily Armstrong, 38, calling it a betrayal of his father’s legacy and the trust of fans.

Bennington pointed to Armstrong’s alleged ties to the Church of Scientology and her past support of actor Danny Masterson, who was recently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape. He argued that Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda, 47, had ignored these connections when choosing Armstrong as the new vocalist, a decision that has been met with widespread criticism online.

“People aren’t having a hard time wrapping their head around the prospect of Linkin Park reinventing itself. They are having a hard time wrapping their head around how you hired your friend of many years, Emily Armstrong, to replace Chester Bennington knowing Emily’s history in the church (of Scientology) and her history as an ally to Danny Masterson,” Bennington wrote.

Armstrong, formerly of the rock band Dead Sara, has responded to the controversy, stating that she misjudged Masterson and does not condone abuse or violence against women. However, she has not addressed the allegations regarding her alleged ties to Scientology.

Despite the backlash, Linkin Park kicked off their new tour on Sept. 11 in Los Angeles, with a new album, “From Zero,” slated for release on Nov. 15. This marks the band’s first new music and tour since Chester Bennington’s death in 2017.

The controversy surrounding Linkin Park’s reunion raises questions about the band’s future and the balance between honoring a legacy and moving forward. It remains to be seen how the band will address the ongoing criticism and whether the new lineup will be able to win back the hearts of fans who have been deeply affected by the loss of Chester Bennington.

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