Linkin Park fans have been widely re-sharing a message The Mars Volta and former At The Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala sent to their new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, which seemingly alleges she has ties to Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
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Earlier today (September 6), Linkin Park announced their comeback through a livestream event, where they revealed their new singer was Armstrong, formerly of Dead Sara, alongside new drummer Colin Brittain.
They performed a new song, ‘The Emptiness Machine’, a few Linkin Park classics, and announced a new album ‘From Zero’ and a short supporting world tour with six shows across the globe.
Although the reception to Armstrong’s addition to the band was largely positive among fellow artists and fans, the allegations made by Bixler-Zavala last year quickly began to spread, to the point that Masterson began trending on X/Twitter earlier today.
An image from Getty Images of Armstrong and Bixler-Zavala at a Scientology gala in 2013 has also been circulating. Bixler-Zavala left the Church of Scientology in late 2017.
According to a screenshot of a post on his Instagram story that tagged Dead Sara, Bixler-Zavala wrote in 2023: “I’m surprised none of you wrote a letter on Danny Masterson’s behalf since your corny ass singer showed up to support him in the prelims. Remember Emily? Remember how your fellow Scientologist goon squad surrounded one of the Jane Doe’s when she was trying to leave the elevators? The court sheriffs had to escort her away from your awful cult.
“Remember when we did the purification run down Emily? Were you directed to safepoint me cuz of what my wife knew? Why can’t you shut your mouth during a detox program where people are going through some rough shit but your corny ass is singing like an unsupervised child?
“Is it cuz you’re a born in Scientologist that gets a pass? How do you reconcile the homophobia found in the teachings of LRH’s [L Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder] book Dianetics? Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend?”
I take this back. I just found out shes a Scientologist and defended Danny Masterson. Cedric Bixler-Zavala of At the Drive-In made a statement on his Instagram story about it. https://t.co/aX2uwE9UM7 pic.twitter.com/YhlmZkMan4
— 𝓧𝔁𝓓𝓮𝓼𝓹𝓪𝓲𝓻𝓕𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓐𝓼𝓱𝓽𝓸𝓷𝔁𝓧 (@AshtonHavok) September 6, 2024
Linkin Park's new vocalist is still a scientologist as far as i can tell. She has been credibly accused of supporting Danny Masterson by Cedric Bixler, vocalist of At the Drive in, former scientologist, whose wife is one of Danny Masterson's victims. https://t.co/F4WorIWMss pic.twitter.com/oZE3FtZgMh
— Westin, Queer Breakfast Anarchist (@WestinPlaying) September 6, 2024
Masterson, best known for starring in US sitcom That ‘70s Show and Netflix series The Ranch, was convicted on two of three rape charges in May 2023. That September, he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
During the trial, prosecutors argued Masterson had used his “untouchable” position in the Church of Scientology to avoid accountability for raping women.
Bixler-Zavala’s wife Chrissie Carnell Bixler had also accused Masterson of raping her while they were in a relationship, having testified in 2022 and previously issued a separate civil lawsuit against him. However the jury was split on the charge relating to her allegations. Eight of the twelve members of the jury favoured guilty, but he was neither convicted nor acquitted.
In response to Masterson’s sentencing, Bixler-Zavala wrote in an Instagram post (which has since been deleted) that he was “making a list of all Danny’s helpers and rape apologists” in an attempt “to show all of you why women don’t report rape”.
He also used the update to show his disdain for the Church Of Scientology. “We fucking told you. God bless the women that stood up to him and his shitty fucking family. Fuck Scientology. Rot in jail Danny,” he wrote. “God bless my wife. True fucking warrior. May peace reign over my family. To everyone who spoke up and helped, thank you.”
In 2020, Bixler-Zavala claimed that the Church of Scientology fatally poisoned his two dogs, which he said was a consequence of “speaking about the predators they protect”, also alleging they began a campaign of harassment, threats and stalking. The Church did not address the allegations.
Detailing the alleged harassment in the LA Times last year, he claimed that the church made his wife feel she was to blame for Masterson’s actions and said his family still lives in fear of the church.
“I could see the crisis of faith in her when they made her feel like this was her fault,” he said. “My life is at the point where if my phone rings in my house, my children go and hide under their bed… My kids know a monster did something bad to their mom.”
NME has reached out to representatives of Linkin Park and The Mars Volta for comment.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.