New Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong responds to criticism over past support for Danny Masterson: ‘I misjudged him’

Two days after Linkin Park announced their reunion with a fresh lineup, the band’s new lead singer Emily Armstrong has issued a statement responding to allegations of ties to a former actor who was convicted of rape last year.
Armstrong, who is the co-founder and front woman of rock band Dead Sara, joined Linkin Park with new drummer Colin Brittain during a livestream on Sept. 5 in which the band released its first new song and announced a new album since the 2017 death of its then-lead singer Chester Bennington.
While fans were quick to celebrate the return of the band, allegations quickly began to surface online shortly after the announcement that Armstrong had supported “That 70s Show” star Danny Masterson while he was on trial for rape. Masterson would later be convicted of raping two women from the hearings and was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in September of last year. 
In a Instagram story post on Friday night that doesn’t mention Masterson by name, Armstrong responded to the allegations, writing that she was asked to attend the court appearance of “someone I considered a friend” several years ago.
”(I) went to one early hearing as an observer. Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since,” she wrote, adding that “unimaginable details” emerged at the trial.
Armstrong ended the statement by saying she does not condone abuse or violence against women, and that she empathizes with the victims of these crimes.
Rolling Stone reported that the claims surrounding Armstrong started after fellow musician, Cedric Bixler-Zavala of the Mars Volta, recirculated a comment he left on a Dead Sara Instagram post last year this week that claimed Armstrong and her “fellow scientologist goon squad” surrounded and intimidated one of Masterson’s victims at the trial.
A photo of Bixler-Zavala, a former member of the Church of Scientology, and Armstrong together at a Scientology event from 2013 is currently being shared online. Bixler-Zavala’s wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, was one of the women who accused Masterson of sexual assault, although his convictions were never tied to her allegations. 
The controversy surrounding Armstrong comes as Linkin Park announces new music for the first time in eight years. Although Armstrong and Brittain are joining as newbies, Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix and Joe Hahn are all returning.
Along with new music, the band says it will be going on tour for their new album coming out on November 15. However, Delson, the lead guitarist and one of the original members, has announced that he will not be performing on the tour.
With files from The Associated Press