Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong has spoken out about the pressure she felt after becoming a part of the band in 2024.
The 40-year-old musician, who made her name fronting Los Angeles rock group Dead Sara, joined Linkin Park years after frontman Chester Bennington died by suicide in 2017.
Her appointment was controversial at the time, with Bennington’s mother Susan Eubanks saying she felt “betrayed” by the decision and claiming that the band were “trying very hard to erase the past.”
In a new interview with People to promote the band’s documentary Unshatter, Armstong said she also questioned whether she could take on the role.
“You see it in the documentary where I’m just like, ‘Am I even cut out for this?’” said Armstrong. “You’re trying to give yourself every reason to just be like, ‘You’re not good. Everybody knows these songs.’”
Armstong went on to say that she had to put her own stamp on the music rather than replicating Bennington, explaining: “That’s the only thing that I could think of. Don’t try to be like anybody. You’re not a replacement. Nobody could ever, ever replace Chester. Do what you do.”
She continued: “The only thing that I could possibly try with the old songs is just to have the same emotional impact as much as I possibly can with the songs, because that’s what you’re ultimately going to want at this point. That’s what I would want as a listener, as a Linkin Park fan. I would want that emotional feeling. And I was like, ‘Okay. I think I could do that.’”
The new documentary follows Linkin Park’s 2024 reunion and Armstrong’s first shows with the group.
In the film, Armstrong says: “I know how lucky I am. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of. I’m so fortunate to be in this position. It’s crazy. Having it happen later in my life is something I wouldn’t change.”
The band’s co-founder Mike Shinoda adds: “To be able to find in the universe five other people that have the connection that Linkin Park has, but to do it not only once, but twice, is insane. There’s no words I could come up with to explain how grateful I am to be able to do it again.”
Writing for The Independent at the time, music critic Mark Beaumont argued that Linkin Park put their legacy at stake by reuniting.
“Ultimately, it’s in the band’s hands – not those of Bennington’s family – as to who they feel will best serve their music going forward, not to mention who they’d be happiest sharing a tour bus with for years on end,” wrote Beaumont.
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