New Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong explained why a male singer couldn’t replace Chester Bennington. She spoke about how she approached taking his place. She also responded to the early criticism of her joining the band.
Armstrong first discussed the pressure of stepping into the role left by the band’s late singer.
“These are some very big shoes to fill,” Armstrong said. “Making [From Zero], you don’t think that you’re going to be replacing somebody, because he obviously can never be replaced.”
She then described how she approached singing in his place.
“You never want to try and sound like him, but what you want to do is emulate the emotion, do your part as a singer,” she said. “It’s the emotional side of it—my strong suit of being able to bring it out as he did.”
Armstrong also addressed the criticism that followed the announcement. She explained why she believes it helped that the band’s new singer wasn’t a man.
“First off, I know who I am, and what I can contribute,” she said. “Second off, I am happy it wasn’t a male. It’s easier because if you’re a male, you’re going to be constantly compared … It wasn’t something that was like, we’re looking for a girl. We didn’t do this to make a point, so all the criticism was like, ‘Yeah? If you’re going to be upset, I can’t help you.'”
Her comments come as the band’s new chapter is still being discussed, nearly two years after her arrival.
Linkin Park introduced Armstrong as co-lead singer on Sept. 5, 2024. The band made the announcement during a live-streamed event. It also revealed its new album, From Zero, at the event. The reveal came seven years after Bennington’s death in 2017, and many fans were surprised.
From Zero came out on Nov. 15, 2024. It was the band’s first album in seven years and its first with Armstrong. She had previously fronted the rock band Dead Sara. She now shares vocal duties with co-founder Mike Shinoda.
The reaction to the new lineup was divided from the start. Some fans welcomed Armstrong, while others criticized the decision to bring in a new singer. Shinoda later said that part of the backlash was tied to her gender.
“There were people who lashed out at Emily and it was really because she wasn’t a guy,” Shinoda said.
