When Linkin Park decided to add a new singer to their ranks and reinvent themselves, it was a huge thing, since the band’s essentially been dormant since the death of Chester Bennington. However, while we all thought it was pretty rad to have a new lead singer for the band, Chester’s son had other thoughts on the matter.
Jaime, Chester’s son, went on Instagram to give his thoughts on Emily Armstrong and why the reinvention of his dad’s band was such a devastating thing for both him and all of Linkin Park’s fans.
Jaime’s Had Enough Of His Dad’s Replacement and Mike Shinoda
Jaime hopped on Instagram and gave his full thoughts on the situation, making sure to call out everyone involved in the process.
“Hey Mike! People aren’t having a difficult time wrapping their head around the prospect of LINKIN PARK reinventing itself. They are having a hard time wrapping their head around how you: 1). Hired your FRIEND OF MANY YEARS @emilyarmstrong to replace @chesterbe knowing Emily’s history in the church and her history as an ally to @dannymasterson is what it is. 2). Quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time not only during a band interview meant to clear the air about certain aspects of LINKIN PARK’s history and future but during INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH. 3). Have refused to acknowledge the impact of hiring someone like Emily without so much as a clarifying statement on the variety of victims that make up YOUR CORE FAN BASE. No acknowledgement of: the way you groom you fan base, @chesterbe, Chester’s kids or family, my falling out with your wife @ANNASHINODA (who cannot be mentioned either), @dannymasterson victims, or even Emily’s intimidation of those victims. And the list goes on. And on. And on. I’d mention you but you restricted my interactions with you because you don’t like what I have to say. So this will have to do.“
Given Emily Armstrong’s history and what she’s done in the past, nobody can blame Chester’s son for having strong opinions on the matter.
He follows up the first story with another. “‘What you’ve done’ is not something for people to ACCLIMATE to. It’s not a SHOCK that people are just going to have to take time process and understand. You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself. We trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was you intention. Now you’re just senile and tone deaf. Insane. At this point, I would wager that all you LP guys know is disrespect. You didn’t trick me!! I heard you slip at the end of your @zanelowe interview #2. This album HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE AT LEAST 2019. Possibly 2017. I know your pattern. I saw what you did.”
It’s honestly surprising that Linkin Park didn’t see this coming, seeing as so many LP fans had a huge attachment to Chester Bennington. To most fans, Chester was what made Linkin Park; without him, it just didn’t feel right anymore.
Rather than anticipating Jaime’s response Mike brought a new singer into Linkin Park rather than starting a whole new band altogether, which should have been the direction they took this project. There’s too much controversy, too much confusion, and way too many bad vibes.
