Linkin Park’s new singer breaks silence after connections to convicted rapist Danny Masterson are revealed

Emily Armstrong, the newest member of Linkin Park, has responded to the outrage over her ties to convicted rapist Danny Masterson, claiming she was “supporting a friend” but “misread” the situation.

The band, who scored hits in the ’00s with songs like ‘In The End’ and ‘Lost’, thrilled fans when they announced that the 38-year-old rock singer of Dead Sara will be joining the band as their new vocalist.

But hours after the announcement, Allegations emerged that Armstrong was associated with and attended events organized by the Church of ScientologyThen her ties to ‘That 70s Show’ star Masterson came to light.

Fans have expressed their anger and disappointment over her new role, claiming that her addition to the band is a disgrace to the memory of former frontman Chester Bennington, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

But Armstrong has now pushed back against these accusations in a recent Instagram story.

‘Hi, I’m Emily. I’m new to a lot of you, and I wanted to clear the air about something that happened a while back.

“A few years ago I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court hearing, and I went to an early hearing as an observer. Shortly afterward I realized I shouldn’t have done that. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I haven’t spoken to him since.

‘Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.

“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,” she wrote.

Armstrong did not address allegations that she had ties to the Church of Scientology in the story.

The Los Angeles-born musician was photographed in 2013 attending the Church of Scientology’s 44th Anniversary Gala with Cedric Bixler-Zavala, a former Scientologist and Mars Volta musician

The Los Angeles-born musician was photographed in 2013 attending the Church of Scientology’s 44th Anniversary Gala.

Cedric Bixler-Zavala, a former Scientologist and member of the band Mars Volta, has also claimed on social media that Armstrong is a member of the “cult.”

He also accused Armstrong of supporting Masterson, a Scientologist, during his rape trial and of trying to silence his wife, Chrissie Carnell Bixler, after she came out as one of the rapist’s victims.

Additionally, the Mars Volta musician alleged that Armstrong attempted to “coerce” one of the Jane Does involved in the trial and that he “had to be led away by guards.”

In an Instagram story shared by Chrissie, Cedric posted the following message: ‘I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on behalf of Danny Masterson considering your lame singer showed up to support him in the heats.

“Remember Emily? Remember how your fellow Scientologist goons surrounded one of the Jane Doe’s as she tried to leave the elevators? The sheriffs had to escort her away from your horrible cult.

“Remember when we did the Purification Run Down Emily? Were you asked to give me a safepoint because of what my wife knew? Why can’t you keep your mouth shut in a detox program where people are going through some serious shit but your corny ass sings like an unaccompanied child?

‘Is it because you are a born Scientologist that you get a free pass? How do you reconcile the homophobia found in LRH’s teachings? [L Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder] book “Dianetics”? Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend?,’ he had written angrily.

Chrissie Carnell Bixler was one of the women who accused Masterson of sexually assaulting her

That 70’s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s

Masterson played the wisecracking Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show from 1998 to 2006

Armstrong did not address allegations that she has ties to the Church of Scientology in the story

Danny Masterson, star of That 70’s Show, was convicted last May of raping two women in the early 2000s.

The 47-year-old Scientologist did not react as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo delivered her verdict: 15 years in prison for each rape, with the sentences to run consecutively.

His wife, actress Bijou Phillips, 43, who stood by him during two criminal trials, sat among a grim group of Scientology friends and family members during the sentencing.

Before passing sentence, Judge Olmedo told Masterson that while he had “strongly maintained his innocence … you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal and that is why you are here today.”

During the trial, Jane Doe #1 called Masterson a “true coward and a heartless monster.” She said that to this day she is extremely afraid of the dark and often wakes up crying.

Sometimes, she said, she hides in a closet or screams out the window, “I’m not okay.”

“I think life is an appropriate punishment,” she concluded.

Earlier this year, Masterson was transferred from the maximum-security Corcoran State Prison to the less restrictive California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, sources said.