Here’s A Full Breakdown Of The Linkin Park Drama Involving Chester Bennington’s Son

“You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans.”

By
Stephanie Soteriou
by Stephanie Soteriou

BuzzFeed Staff

This article mentions suicide. 

Earlier this month, Linkin Park announced that they are returning with a new lead singer, Emily Armstrong, following the tragic death of their frontman Chester Bennington in 2017.

Linkin Park with Emily Armstrong
James Minchin III via Warner Records

The band revealed that they will be releasing new music for the first time since Chester’s death, and a world tour will follow. 


Linkin Park livestreamed a show to debut Emily and their new drummer, Colin Brittain, on Sept. 5, with original member Mike Shinoda telling the crowd partway through the concert: “My name is Mike, this is Emily, and in the role of Chester Bennington this afternoon is each of you. Are you ready to sing with us?”

But Emily’s involvement in the band has upset some fans due to her past links with Scientology and support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson, whose trial Emily attended back in 2020.

Emily Armstrong performs on stage, wearing a mesh top and cargo pants, holding a microphone, with band members playing instruments in the background
Timothy Norris / Getty Images for Warner Music

As the fan fury reached boiling point, Emily took to her Instagram story to address the situation, writing: “I wanted to clear the air about something that happened a while back.”


“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,” she continued. “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,” Emily continued. “To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone the abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.”

Mike, who cofounded Linkin Park in the ‘90s, also addressed fan concerns in a Discord conversation, where he wrote: “Many people will take time to wrap their heads around us with her. If people are respectfully not there yet, I’m totally fine with that. But disrespect me, and you will lose my respect in return.”

Mike Shinoda smiling, hands together in prayer-like gesture, wearing a dark suit and dark shirt, standing in front of an abstract background
Michael Tullberg / FilmMagic

And now, Chester’s son Jaime Bennington has publicly called Mike out for his comments, and claimed that Mike has “quietly erased” Chester’s “life and legacy in real time.”

Chester Bennington with short hair and glasses, wearing a rolled-up denim shirt and showing arm tattoos, stands against a plain background
Gregg Deguire / WireImage

In multiple lengthy posts to his Instagram story, 28-year-old Jaime wrote: “Hey Mike! People aren’t having a hard time wrapping their head around the prospect of LINKIN PARK reinventing itself.”

He then said that people “are having a hard time” with him hiring one of his friends, Emily, to replace Chester “knowing Emily’s history in the church and her history as an ally to @dannymasterson.”

Text image with a user's message discussing perceived restrictions on interactions, erasure of a late friend's history, and critical comments about Linkin Park and their management
Instagram @thepicturepiecesarchive / Via Instagram: @thepicturepiecesarchive

Jaime then called the band out for announcing Chester’s replacement during International Suicide Prevention Month after Chester died by suicide. 


Amid more paragraphs about Emily’s past and reputation, Jaime added: “You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans.”

Jaime also claimed that he believes the band’s album with Emily has been in the works “since at least 2019. Possibly 2017.”

Text image summarizing criticism of an artist and their promises, mentioning a betrayal of trust and accusing them of being insincere and out of touch with fans
Instagram @thepicturepiecesarchive / Via Instagram: @thepicturepiecesarchive

And many fans have found themselves agreeing with Jaime’s point of view, with one writing on a Reddit forum: “Aside from choosing Emily, it’s a shame they decided to make this a linkin park project as opposed to a new band.”

Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington on stage in a close embrace, both wearing casual clothing and visible earpieces, under red stage lights
Kevin Winter

“Even if the band members themselves don't have a problem with her views you'd think their PR people would be like ‘maybe you could chose someone who isn't going to cause a shitstorm,’” someone else wrote. 


“Mike Shinoda has always overestimated fans attachment to him versus Chester. It mightn’t be reality since they’re quite a large band made up of multiple components, but Chester is Linkin Park to me,” another popular comment reads.


Mike has not publicly responded to Jaime’s comments.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org. The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386. 

Comments
Skip to footer