Linkin Park‘s new vocalist Emily Armstrong has responded to online criticism over her past support of Danny Masterson.

Writing on Instagram Stories (Sept 07), she said “Hi, I’m Emily. I’m new to so many of you, and 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. 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.To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.”

As Variety reports, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison in September 2023 after being convicted of two charges of forcible rape. The Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, one of Masterson’s accusers, had criticised Armstrong’s support online leading to concern from fans on social media.

Armstrong, the vocalist of the band Dead Sara, was announced as a new member of Linkin Park earlier this week (September 05) as the band made their return in a special livestream show. New single ‘The Emptiness Machine’ was also released, taken from the upcoming new album ‘From Zero’.