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
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
'Hamilton' producer reflects on 10-year anniversary
Ten years later, history still has its eyes on 'Hamilton.' The beloved musical, created by original star Lin-Manuel Miranda, celebrates a decade on Broadway this week. Producer Jeffrey Seller is reflecting on the show's lasting influence on audiences and the theater world since its groundbreaking premiere. 9 Seller produced Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical 'Hamilton.' Getty Images 'I'm feeling so rewarded by 'Hamilton's' impact on people over [the past] 10 years,' Seller, 60, exclusively told The Post. 'The ways in which it has brought so many people joy, … inspiration and illumination. How much it has entertained, but also how much it has educated.' 'Hamilton' officially opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Aug. 6, 2015, following previews that began on July 13. Since then, Seller said it has reached 'well over a quarter of a million Title I high school' students. '[It] not only entertains them, but teaches them American history,' Seller said. 'Not only teaches them American history, but gives them a sense of place — 'Oh, I belong here too. I'm part of the story.'' 9 More than 4.6 million people have seen 'Hamilton' on Broadway. NY Post Brian Zak 9 The original Broadway cast of 'Hamilton' included Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. and Anthony Ramos. Getty Images According to Broadway World, more than 4.6 million people have seen 'Hamilton' on Broadway — not including those the musical has reached through its filmed version on Disney+, which earned 'Hamilton' an Emmy for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) in 2021. In June 2020, Forbes reported that the production had surpassed $1 billion in global revenue, making it one of the few to reach the milestone. The achievement helped land Miranda, 45, on the list of the world's highest-paid celebrities, with estimated earnings of $45.5 million that year. 'Hamilton' also dominated the 2016 Tony Awards, winning 11 out of its record-setting 16 nominations, including best musical and best original score. 9 Seller described 'Hamilton' as a 'strike of lightning.' Kevin Mazur The original Broadway cast included Miranda, who also wrote the show's book and score, as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. This fall, Odom, 43, is set to reprise his role for the first time since departing the production in 2016. According to ticket-selling platforms like Broadway Direct and TodayTix, Odom's entire run — from Sept. 9 to Nov. 26 — is completely sold out. Before tickets were snagged, prices ranged from $205 to $624, not including fees. Miranda, for his part, is also known for creating and starring in 2008's 'In the Heights,' another Broadway hit produced by Seller that also earned Tonys for best musical and best original score. 9 'Hamilton' began as a concept album about the life of Treasure Secretary Alexander Hamilton. AP 9 'Hamilton' premiered off-Broadway at The Public Theater on Feb. 17, 2015. Getty Images Reflecting on 'Hamilton's' early days, Seller said it felt like 'if 'In the Heights' was this warm embrace, 'Hamilton' was this strike of lighting.'' 'It was absolutely Lin, but it was also another leap forward for him creatively,' Seller explained. 'I remember I was just so blown away by the first three songs: 'Alexander Hamilton,' 'My Shot' and, maybe, Washington's first song ('Right Hand Man').' 'I just said, 'What do you want to do?'' he continued. 'At first, he wanted to make an album. I said, 'So we'll help you make an album… I'm here to serve.'' 9 'Hamilton' won best musical and best original score at the 2016 Tony Awards. Bloomberg via Getty Images 9 'Hamilton' canceled its 2026 run at the Kennedy Center. In fact, in 2009, Miranda introduced 'Hamilton' as a concept album during an appearance at the White House for an evening of poetry, music and the spoken word under the Obama administration. 'I'm thrilled the White House called me tonight because I'm actually working on a hip-hop album,' he said at the time. 'It's a concept album about the life of someone I think embodies hip-hop, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.' Miranda then performed an early version of what would become 'Hamilton's' opening number, aptly titled 'Alexander Hamilton.' 9 Lin-Manuel Miranda's final performance as Alexander Hamilton in 2016. Getty Images Before transferring to Broadway, the off-Broadway production of 'Hamilton' premiered at The Public Theater on Feb. 17, 2015. Despite its success over the past 10 years, Seller said he thinks it's still too early to know what the show's legacy will be. ''Legacy' is a hard word because we don't know,' he explained. 'I think we're still too close to see what its legacy is.' In addition to 'Hamilton,' Seller's other producing credits include 'Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' the 2009 revival of 'West Side Story' and, most recently, the 2023 revival of 'Sweeney Todd.' He chronicled his journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming an award-winning producer in his book, 'Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir,' published on May 6. Meanwhile, 'Hamilton' continues its reach beyond Broadway with multiple North American tours, as well as productions in London's West End, Australia, the UK and Ireland.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
‘Breaking Bad' actor Aaron Paul asks $9.9M for his historic LA home — which touts a number of A-list former owners
The ownership records behind this $9.9 million home resemble the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 100-year-old Seyler House in Los Angeles is ready to add to its rolodex of star-studded deeds. 'Breaking Bad' actor Aaron Paul has decided to part ways with the historic property, which counts Robert Pattinson, Tim Curry, Noah Wyle, cinematographer Robert Richardson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar among its former owners. 9 'Breaking Bad' actor Aaron Paul most recently occupied the famed residence. Getty Images 9 The Spanish-style estate was constructed in 1922. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios 9 In addition to impressive interiors, the property boasts a 100-year-old garden. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios The Seyler House, nestled underneath the iconic Griffith Park, is a celebrity in its own right. The nearly 1.5-acre property was one of the first homes ever built in the scenic hills above Los Feliz. Architect Stiles O. Clements, known for LA's El Capitan Theatre, constructed the Spanish-style estate in 1922. The 4,000-square-foot home most recently changed hands between 'Big Bang Theory' actor Jim Parsons and Paul for $6.95 million in 2019. Paul, 45, called Seyler House 'a safe haven,' for his family with a 'deep soul,' in a statement shared with press. 9 Rooms throughout the ground floor maintain original wood beams with hand-painted designs. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios 9 The living room. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios 9 The eat-in kitchen. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios 9 A free-standing copper tub in one of the homes' freshly updated bathrooms. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios 'We feel so lucky to have experienced so much life here over the years,' Paul said. 'We will forever hold this home and its history close to our hearts.' The $9.9 million listing, held by Jenna Cooper of Compass, balances well-preserved period details with modern upgrades. The ground floor includes a den, a paneled card room, a guest bedroom and an eat-in kitchen with outdoor dining. Original beams and hand-painted ceilings are found throughout the public rooms, according to the listing. 'The original finishes that make this home magic are still intact, which is a testament to how much respect all of its owners have had for this space over the years,' Paul said. 9 The sprawling grounds include a private amphitheater. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios 9 A pool area with a nearby fire pit. Alex Zarour | Virtually Here Studios Two large bedroom suites occupy the second floor. The rooms enjoy dressing areas and newly renovated baths. Their respective balconies boast views of the home's unique garden and hillside views. The home's large patios and terraces extend out to the property's impressive grounds. A 100-year-old garden is the star of the well-landscape acreage, which also includes a pool, a cold plunge, an amphitheater, an outdoor fireplace and a koi pond. 'The resort-like grounds are a world of their own,' Cooper said in a statement.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Why Meghan Markle's ‘fragile' employees waited years to accuse her of bullying
Nobody wants the wrath of 'Duchess Difficult.' Former The Times royal correspondent Valentine Low explained why Meghan Markle's former staffers waited years before they accused her of bullying in Low's 2022 book 'Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown' 'There was strong elements of nervousness and worry,' Low stated on Kinsley Schofield's 'Unfiltered' podcast last week. 'Some of them were still in a very fragile state.' 7 Meghan Markle. / The author added that Markle's employees 'were very worried about what Meghan would do to them' and 'viewed her capacity for revenge as infinite.' 'It was two and a half years later. They'd left the employ of the Royal Family and they still were in a psychologically delicate state as a result of what happened to them at that time,' Low also said. 7 Valentine Low. In addition, Low claimed that the staffers didn't want to be in the spotlight because of their allegations against Markle, 44. 'They are happy leading their new lives, doing whatever new job it is they do. They don't want the media on their doorstep,' he said. 'They don't want to have a target on them.' 7 Valentine Low's book that came out in 2022. St. Martins Press In his book, Low published anonymous staffers' claims about the alleged abuse they suffered working under the 'Suits' alum. The ex-employees claimed Markle — who they referred to as a 'narcissistic sociopath' — went on screaming tirades. On the podcast, Low noted that if Markle and Prince Harry 'were difficult to work for then, they're difficult to work for now.' 7 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day in May 2018. Getty Images He also recalled how the couple's legal team allegedly reacted to the book being published in 2022. 'We got a very, very long letter from their lawyers. And then sometime later we got another slightly less long letter from their lawyers, basically being very feisty, very strong,' Low said, adding, 'We published, and then we didn't hear a word from them.' 7 Meghan Markle speaks onstage at The Archewell Foundation Parents Summit: Mental Wellness event in NYC in Oct. 2023. Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds Low also stated: 'If the Times runs a story like that, and doesn't get sued, there probably something in it. And suddenly you realize all those tabloid stories earlier suggesting she might be the 'Duchess Difficult,' actually maybe they're true.' Markle's spokesperson told The Post that Low is blasting 'harmful gossip' and 'continues to desperately recycle false, offensive, and long-discredited allegations in an apparent bid to sell books and resuscitate relevance.' 7 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left the royal family in 2020. / 'These claims—rooted in anonymous, unverifiable sources—form part of a broader and deeply troubling agenda that seeks to dehumanize a woman who has consistently stood up for fairness, dignity, and truth,' the rep continued. 'The Duchess has faced years of unfounded attacks masked as journalism in a never-ending smear campaign, beginning only once she was affiliated with the remains undeterred by the noise and firmly focused on her family and work,' the spokesperson added. 7 Meghan Markle with Prince Harry. Instagram/@meghan Markle was in the royal family from 2018 until 2020 when she and Harry, 40, quit their royal duties and moved to America. The mother of two faced other bullying accusations from some of her former staffers — who dubbed Markle a ''Mean Girls' teenager' — in a Vanity Fair report that came out in January. Last year, a report from the Hollywood Reporter claimed Markle instills fear in her staff, with one insider describing her as a 'dictator in high heels' who has reduced 'grown men to tears.' Markle's team has denied all bullying claims.
