New Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong is responding to backlash over claims she supported convicted rapist Danny Masterson during his sexual assault trial.
Dead Sara co-founder took to social media on Friday (September 6) to address past comments by Mars Volta's Cedric Bixler-Zavala that he showed support for Masterson during preliminary hearings ahead of the actor's trial in 2020. His wife Bixler-Zavala, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, was among several women who accused her That 70s show sexual assault star.
“Hi, I'm Emily. I'm new to many of you and wanted to clear up something that happened a while ago,” Armstrong wrote. Instagram Stories. “Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend in a court appearance and went to an early hearing as an observer. I soon realized that I shouldn't. I always try to see the good in people and I misjudged him. I have never spoken to him since. Unthinkable details emerged and he was later found guilty.”
He concluded, “To put it as plainly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I sympathize with the victims of these crimes.”
Linkin Park announced their big comeback on September 5, with Armstrong as Mike Shinoda's new co-vocalist and Colin Brittain signing on as drummer and co-producer. Shortly after the live stream was revealed, Bixler-Zavala posted screenshots on Instagram of his previous comments about Armstrong's past support of Masterson and her ties to the Church of Scientology. Rolling Stone exhibitions.
“Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend,” Bixler-Zavala wrote in a comment on Dead Sara's Instagram page last year. “Remember how the group of fellow Scientologists surrounded one of the Jane Doe's when she was trying to get out of the elevators? The bailiffs had to escort her away from your hideous worship…”
In another Instagram post on Friday, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler reportedly accused Armstrong of being a “hardline Scientologist who supported the convicted serial rapist both in and out of court.” He added: “Emily Armstrong is a true believer in the Scientology cult/criminal organization involved in human and child trafficking, child and elder abuse, cover-ups of countless [sexual assaults] in children and adults”.
Last September, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women in the early 2000s. The Rancho The actor has not been convicted of charges related to Chrissie Carnell-Bixler's allegations, but is part of a civil lawsuit against him.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/linkin-park-emily-armstrong-danny-masterson-support-backlash-response-1235769595/
