Bixler-Zavala’s Old Accusation Against Emily Armstrong
The excitement over the Linkin Park reunion and the announcement of new frontwoman Emily Armstrong has not yet waned, and harsh criticism has already hit the singer. In fact, a comment from 2023 by Cedric Bixler-Zavala of the Mars Volta and At the Drive-In has resurfaced. On the social media of Armstrong's band, Dead Sara, he had criticized the singer for having helped actor Danny Masterson, a Scientologist like her, accused (and later found guilty) of rape.
“Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend,” Bixler-Zavala wrote, noting that Armstrong helped Masterson during the trial (the singer disputes this reconstruction, see below). “Remember Emily? Remember when your Scientology friends surrounded one of the anonymous accusers when she was trying to exit the elevator? The police had to escort her away from your horrible cult.”
Bixler-Zavala’s wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, is one of several women who have accused Masterson of sexual assault. The actor pleaded guilty to charges brought by two unnamed women last September and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Carnell-Bixler is also a party to a civil lawsuit against Masterson.
Bixler-Zavala and Carnell-Bixler are both former Scientologists and have long blamed the Church of Scientology for what happened with Masterson. Armstrong also has ties to Scientology: a photo of her and Bixler-Zavala at Scientology’s Celebrity Centre in 2013 for a gala celebrating the Church’s 44th anniversary resurfaced online.
Carnell-Bixler could not fail to intervene, calling Armstrong "a hardcore follower who has helped a serial rapist in and out of court" on her social media, adding: "Emily Armstrong is a full-fledged believer in the Scientology cult/criminal organization that engages in human and child trafficking, child and elder abuse, and the cover-up of countless [sexual assaults] on children and adults." Carnell-Bixler also recalled that Chester Bennington, the late former leader of Linkin Park and a friend of Bixler-Zavala, was also a victim of abuse as a child.
Armstrong responded today: "Many years ago I was asked to assist a person I considered a friend in court," Masterson. "I went to one of the first hearings as an observer. I realized immediately afterward that I should not have done it. I always try to see the good in people and with him I was mistaken. I have not spoken to him since. Unthinkable details emerged and he was found guilty. I write this as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse and violence against women and I stand in solidarity with the victims."
Meanwhile, still on the Linkin Park front and without any connection to the Bixler-Zavala accusations, guitarist Brad Delson explained that while he will continue to be part of the group and participate in studio activities, he will not be touring with the band. Alex Feder will therefore be on stage, having participated in the group's latest livestream.
“I pride myself on live performances,” Delson writes, “but over the years I’ve realized that I’m at my best when I work with my bandmates behind the scenes in the studio, collaborating on new music and helping to build the live shows.”