
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda claims fans ‘lashed out' at new singer Emily Armstrong because she's a woman
In a new interview with The Guardian, Mike Shinoda explained why he thinks part of the the band's fanbase was outraged over Armstrong, 39, joining the group seven years after lead singer Chester Bennington's death.
'There were people who lashed out at Emily, and it was really because she wasn't a guy,' Shinoda, 48, stated.
10 Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park perform at the opening ceremony of the UEFA Champions League Final 2025.
Getty Images
The guitarist claimed that critics were 'used to Linkin Park being six guys' with 'the voice of a guy leading this song' and haven't adapted to the band's new iteration.
'They were just so uncomfortable with what it was that they chose a ton of things to complain about,' Shinoda explained. 'They're pointing in 10 different directions saying: 'This is why I'm mad, this is why the band sucks.''
10 Linkin Park in the press room at the 48th Grammy Awards in 2006.
Getty Images
10 Colin Brittain, Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell, Emily Armstrong, Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn of Linkin Park at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
Billboard via Getty Images
Armstrong — also the lead singer of the rock band Dead Sara — joined Linkin Park last year as the group reunited for the ongoing From Zero World Tour.
The singer received backlash in part due to her connection to Scientology and her support of actor and Scientologist Danny Masterson before he was convicted of rape in 2023.
10 Emily Armstrong performs at the Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival in May 2025.
Amy Harris/Invision/AP
'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,' she wrote in a social media statement in Sept. 2024.
10 Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong perform at Barclays Center in NYC in Sept. 2024.
Getty Images
'Soon after, I realized I shouldn't have,' Armstrong added. '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.'
10 Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Armstrong told The Guardian that she wasn't prepared for the negative public reaction to her joining Linkin Park.
'Not this. No, not this. I was a little bit naive about it, to be honest,' Armstrong said, adding that she used to avoid social media 'for mental-health purposes.'
10 Emily Armstrong performing during the Linkin Park concert in London on June 28.
Michal Augustini/Shutterstock
'If there was something really, really pressing, I think our PR would talk to us about it,' she shared. 'But I'm old enough to know the difference between real life and the internet.'
Amidst Linkin Park's tour, Shinoda said there are some songs that he'd 'feel weird playing' including 'One More Light' from the band's final album with Bennington.
10 Mike Shinoda performs at the I-Days Festival in Italy on June 24.
Corbis via Getty Images
10 Linkin Park arrives at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006.
Getty Images
Shinoda noted the song was originally written 'for a woman at the label that we worked with who passed away. Then after Chester passed, the world decided that it was about him. And so that's just too sad to play.'
Bennington tragically died in 2017 by suicide. He was 41.
10 Chester Bennington performs during the Projekt Revolution Tour in 2008.
FilmMagic
His 29-year-old son, Jaime Bennington, slammed Linkin Park for adding Armstrong to its lineup last year.
Jaime claimed Shinoda had 'quietly erased my father's life and legacy in real time … during international suicide prevention month.'
He also brought up Armstrong's Scientology connection and said the band 'failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Buzz Feed
12 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Food Network Star Anne Burrell's Cause Of Death Revealed
Food Network star Anne Burrell's cause of death has been determined five weeks after the celebrity chef was found dead in her New York home. The 55-year-old died on June 17 by suicide, the New York City medical examiner's office said in a statement to HuffPost on Thursday following an autopsy investigation. The co-host of Worst Cooks in America died from 'acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine,' the office said. Paramedics were called to Burrell's Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17 after she was found unresponsive, and she was declared dead at the scene. The 911 caller reported that she had gone into cardiac arrest, TMZ previously reported. Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images Burrell's family released a statement at the time of her death that described her as a light that touched millions. 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' they said. 'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.' The Food Network also memorialized her as a gift to the culinary world. 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss,' the network said. John Lamparski / Getty Images Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, her stepson, Javier, her mother, Marlene, and two siblings, People reported. Burrell had served as the original host and judge of Worst Cooks in America since its inception in 2010, but she had been absent from the program for a few months before her death. When fans on social media asked why she wasn't on the show back in January, she replied that she didn't know and said she hoped to return, according to Page Six. Her final appearance on Worst Cooks will premiere on the Food Network on Monday, July 28. James Devaney / Getty Images
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A look back at Hulk Hogan's life in photos: From WrestleMania to reality TV and endorsing Trump at the RNC
Hulk Hogan rips his shirt prior to the match against Ric Flair during his Hulkamania tour at the Burswood Dome on Nov. 24, 2009, in Perth, Australia. () Hulk Hogan, one of the most well-known breakout stars of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), died on Thursday at the age of 71, according to Florida police. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, began his professional wrestling career in 1977, and in 1983 he signed with what was then the World Wrestling Federation (it would be renamed as the WWE in 2002), according to Yahoo Sports. His character portrayal of an all-American wrestler with a handlebar mustache and signature bandannas helped ignite the professional wrestling boom of the 1980s, the WWE noted in its response to Hogan's death. His most famous wrestling match, with Andre the Giant in The Main Event in February 1988, pulled in 33 million viewers, which is still the record for U.S. televised wrestling matches. Hogan headlined the first eight of the still-popular WrestleMania events, starting in 1985, and won five of those events, which made him one of the longest-reigning WrestleMania champions to this day. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone and was inducted again in 2020 as a member of the New World Order wrestling group. Advertisement Outside of the wrestling world, Hogan, his then wife Linda and their children, Brooke and Nick, starred in the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best, which ran for four seasons starting in 2005. In 2016, Hogan made headlines again when a Florida jury awarded him $140 million after he filed a lawsuit against Gawker Media for publishing a sex tape of him. Most recently, Hogan endorsed Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Below, Yahoo has selected a number of images from the last four decades showcasing Hogan's career in the spotlight. Hogan faces wrestler Andre the Giant at an International Wrestling Title event in August 1980. Pictured is Hogan about to deliver an "elbow smash" move on Andre the Giant's back. (The Stanley) Sylvester Stallone and Hogan film a scene on the set of "Rocky III" in 1982. (Michael) Hogan poses in ring during a WWE match in 1985. (WWE/Getty Images) Hogan interviews Andre the Giant backstage during Saturday Night's Main Event on Oct. 31, 1985, at the Hershey Park Arena in Hershey, Penn. (WWE/Getty Images) Advertisement President Trump and Hogan shake hands at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. on March 29, 1987. (Jeffrey Asher/ Getty Images) Hogan poses with singer Dolly Parton in September 1987, after Parton wrote the song "Headlock on My Heart." Parton had read a psychic's prediction that she would meet a 300-pound wrestler and fall in love, which inspired the song. () Hogan, wrestler Mr. T and singer Cyndi Lauper attend the 27th Grammy Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium, in Los Angeles in February 1985. () Hogan poses with the World Championship Belt on July 22, 1994. (Raudies/Getty Images) Advertisement Hogan and his ex-wife Linda Bollea on Nov. 8, 1992. () Hogan poses on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on July 12, 1994. () Hogan wrestles Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at Wrestlemania X8 on March 17, 2002. () From left: Nick Hogan, Brooke Hogan, Linda Hogan and Hogan on October 24, 2006. () Advertisement Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on Nov. 24, 2009, in Perth, Australia. () Hogan rips off his shirt as he speaks on stage on the fourth day of the 2024 Republican National Convention. ()


New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Trump pays tribute to Hulk Hogan after wrestling icon's death at 71
President Trump paid tribute to Hulk Hogan Thursday following the wrestling icon's death at the age of 71. Getty Images Getty Images Advertisement 'We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster,'' the president said in a statement on Truth Social. 'Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' added Trump, 79. 'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!'