LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 24: In this handout photo provided by Church of Scientology, Emily … [+] Armstrong (L) and Cedric Bixler-Zavala attends the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 44th Anniversary Gala on August 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ava Clithero/CoS via Getty Images)
Amid all the excitement from Linkin Park’s new lineup and album announcement, there has now been concerned expressed from Linkin Park fanbase regarding the band’s new lead singer Emily Armstrong, who allegedly has a history with the church of Scientology and more specifically Danny Masterson.
These alleged claims were brought to light from fans that came across a past comment left by The Mars Volta and former At The Drive-In vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala. According to NME, the comments come from a screenshot that Zavala posted on his Instagram story back in 2023. Zavala tagged Emily Armstrong’s band Dead Sara and wrote the following.
“I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Masterson’s 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.”
“Remember when we did the purification run down Emily? Were you directed to safepoint me cuz of what my wife knew? Why can’t you shut your mouth during a detox program where people are going through some rough s**t but your corny ass is singing like an unsupervised child?”
“Is it cuz you’re a born in Scientologist that gets a pass? How do you reconcile the homophobia found in the teachings of LRH’s [L Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder] book Dianetics? Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend?”
The alleged claims made by Zavala allegedly indicate that Emily Armstrong was at Danny Masterson’s recent trial in May 2023, which resulted in Masterson being convicted on two of three rape charges and being sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Zavala’s wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, was among several women who accused Masterson of sexual assault, however, Masterson was not convicted on the charges tied to her allegations. Both Zavala and his wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler are former members of the Church of Scientology, and Zavala has been outspoken against the church ever since he left. Pictured above and indicated on an article by the Scientology Newsroom, Emily Armstrong and Cedric Bixler-Zavala are seen together at the 44th Gala hosted by the Church of Scientology in 2013.
Representatives of Linkin Park and The Mars Volta were contacted for a request for comment.