Jaime Bennington, the son of late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, has publicly criticized Mike Shinoda following the band’s return with new vocalist Emily Armstrong. In a series of posts on social media, Jaime accused Shinoda of “betraying the trust” of Linkin Park fans with the decision to bring Armstrong on board.
Linkin Park announced their comeback during a livestream event on September 5, introducing Emily Armstrong, formerly of Dead Sara, as their new singer. The band debuted their new song The Emptiness Machine and announced a forthcoming album From Zero, alongside plans for a short world tour.
While many fans and fellow artists initially welcomed the announcement, controversy soon followed when it was revealed that Armstrong had past connections to Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson. These connections resurfaced after Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta shared old messages involving Armstrong and Masterson on social media.
In response, Armstrong released a statement on Instagram, clarifying her past actions. She explained that she had supported a friend during a court appearance years ago but distanced herself once she realized the severity of the situation. Armstrong emphasized that she does not condone abuse or violence and expressed her empathy for the victims.
Jaime Bennington, however, voiced his discontent with Armstrong’s involvement, taking aim at Shinoda for what he perceived as a failure to consider the band’s fanbase and his father’s legacy. Jaime accused Shinoda of hiring Armstrong despite her controversial history and erasing Chester Bennington’s legacy during Suicide Prevention Month. He also questioned the timeline of how Shinoda and Armstrong met, suggesting inconsistencies in Shinoda’s statements.
Jaime concluded his remarks by stating that the decision wasn’t just a matter of fans needing time to process but a breach of trust. Neither Linkin Park nor Mike Shinoda have publicly responded to Jaime Bennington's comments.
Photo: James Minchin III
