Linkin Park‘s new lead co-singer, Emily Armstrong was bound to draw all sorts of spotlights, especially after Chester Bennington’s legacy. One of the most worrying controversies was Armstrong’s ties to the Church of Scientology, something which the singer has kept quiet about. Emily Armstrong’s situation with Scientology, however, is likely more difficult and something that involves her family, according to certain sources.
Recently, former Scientologists, investigative journalists, and even the FBI have shed light on Emily Armstrong’s past with the religious organization. According to The Daily Beast, Emily Armstrong even grew up in a cockroach-infested Scientology dorm as a child. Her mother also held several high positions in the organization.
The closest Emily Armstrong has spoken out about Scientology was her retraction of her support to a former Scientologist friend named Danny Masterson back in September 2024. Masterson was convicted of several counts of sexual assault against women. Armstrong belatedly condemned Masterson and now claims that she shouldn’t have supported him after the latter was found guilty.
She didn’t mention anything about him being a prominent Scientologist and how the church reportedly covered up for Masterson’s crimes.
Tony Ortega, a journalist covering Scientology controversies, has his own inference on the matter and as to why Emily Armstrong seems to be tiptoeing around the issue.
“She could be the target of retaliation. She knows that if she were to speak out she’d never see her mother again, so that’s a big threat,” according to Tony Ortega.
Apparently, Gail Armstrong, Emily’s mother, has held authoritative positions and posts at the Church of Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs. This office was allegedly responsible for organizing hurtful campaigns against ex-members and whoever the church deems as its enemies.
Gail Armstrong even sent a letter to the FBI back in 1991. In it, she asked for the erasure of “misleading” and “erroneous” information about the Church of Scientology. Emily Armstrong, on the other hand, pursued a different path and is now a Hollywood celebrity.
Is Emily Armstrong Still a Scientologist?
Sadly, no one knows for sure whether Emily Armstrong is still a member of the Church of Scientology or not. It’s not rare for celebrities to continue being Scientologists, however, with Tom Cruise being one of the most obvious walking examples.
Gail Armstrong presumably remains a Scientologist and continues to work with the church’s leaders. Her daughter, Emily, continues to avoid addressing her status in the Church of Scientology.
It’s possible that Emily Armstrong refuses to discuss anything about Scientology because of her familial ties with the religious organization. Thus, it remains one of her most difficult subjects to touch upon ever since she became a member of Linkin Park.
