Chester Bennington’s son admits he wouldn’t “feel safe” at a Linkin Park show

Jaime Bennington, the son of former Linkin Park lead vocalist Chester Bennington, has been outspoken on their reunion, specifically regarding replacement singer Emily Armstrong. Now, he has admitted that he would feel unsafe at a show due to the backlash in response to his critical comments.

The band unveiled their new lead singer on September 5th during a live performance while also revealing details about a new album, From Zero, alongside the latest single, ‘The Emptiness Machine’.

Following the announcement, Bennington argued that the group should have executed a more thorough background check on Armstrong, given that she is allegedly part of the Church of Scientology and connected to Danny Masterson, who was previously convicted for the sexual assault of multiple women.

Following Bennington’s remarks, fans of the band quickly surged to Linkin Park’s defence, criticising his views as biased and rooted in fabrication. Now, Bennington has responded to the reaction, explaining that he doesn’t feel safe, especially not enough to feel comfortable at a show.

“There are a lot of people who do not like me,” he said. “There are a lot of people saying some really awful shit right now to me.” He continued, “To be honest, I don’t think I feel safe going to the show under general admission because I don’t know who I’m around.”

Elaborating further, Bennington explained that he does “need to” see the show, likely due to its ties to his late father, but that he fears being recognised and responded to “in an aggressive manner.” Bennington’s father passed away in 2017 by suicide after a long run as Linkin Park’s lead singer.

Is Emily Armstrong a Scientologist?
Bennington previously criticised Armstrong’s involvement because he felt the band did not adequately respond to Masterson’s allegations. At the time, he said, “When something happens, take accountability for what you did.” He then went on to say that the new imagining of the group “quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time” and that he wasn’t told about the reunion or even offered a ticket to attend the show.

Cedric Bixler-Zavala of At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta also weighed in on the debate, condemning Armstrong’s involvement due to her ties to Masterson, who also abused Bixler-Zavala’s wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler. Taking to social media to express her views, Carnell-Bixler wrote: “[Linkin Park’s] new lead singer is a hardcore Scientologist who supported convicted serial rapist both in and out of court.”

She continued, “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 SAs on children and adults. Also is a true believer of LRH who said Homosexuals are sexual deviants on the same level as paedophiles and all homosexuals should be sent off to a leper colony.”

In a post released shortly after the information was made public, Armstrong posted a response to her past behaviour, stating that she was “asked to support” someone she “considered a friend” several years ago. She has since realised she shouldn’t have done this and confirmed that she has not had contact with Masterson since.

Despite the previous trepidation and ongoing disagreements, Bennington plans to attend Linkin Park’s show tonight in Los Angeles but still anticipates some harassment from fans. However, he maintains that any aggression or hostility is not his problem. “The audience themselves could be unsafe for me,” he admitted, adding, “If anything happens to me or my partner while we are attending this concert, it is on Linkin Park.”

It’s not clear whether Armstrong is still tied to Scientology but her parents were involved with the church when she was a child, and she was pictured at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in 2013. However, the singer hasn’t confirmed whether she’s still a member of the church.

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