Linkin Park‘s new singer Emily Armstrong is responding to backlash over claims that she supported convicted rapist Danny Masterson during his sexual assault trial.
The Dead Sara co-founder took to social media Friday (Sept. 6) to address past comments by the Mars Volta‘s Cedric Bixler-Zavala that she showed support for Masterson during preliminary hearings ahead of the actor’s 2020 trial. Bixler-Zavala’s wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, was among several women to accuse the That ’70s Show star of sexual assault.
“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,” Armstrong wrote in her Instagram Story. “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.”
She concluded, “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.”
Linkin Park announced its grand return on Sept. 5, with Armstrong on board as Mike Shinoda’s new co-vocalist and Colin Brittain signing on as drummer and co-producer. Shortly after the livestream reveal, Bixler-Zavala posted screen grabs on Instagram of his past comments about Armstrong’s former support for Masterson and her ties to the Church of Scientology, Rolling Stone reports.
“Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend,” Bixler-Zavala wrote last year in a comment on Dead Sara’s Instagram page. “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…”
In another Instagram post on Friday, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler reportedly accused Armstrong of being a “hardcore Scientologist who supported convicted serial rapist both in and out of court.” She added, “Emily Armstrong is a true believer of the Scientology cult/criminal organization that engages in human and child trafficking, child and elder abuse, the coverups of countless [sexual assaults] on children and adults.”
Last September, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women during the early 2000s. The Ranch actor was not convicted on charges tied to Chrissie Carnell-Bixler’s accusations, but she is part of a civil suit against him.