Linkin Park's new singer, Emily Armstrong, has responded to online criticism over her past support of Danny Masterson

Shortly after Linkin Park announced Dead Sara singer Emily Armstrong as the band's new singer, criticism arose over her past ties to the Church of Scientology and her support of actor Danny Masterson. Late Friday, she responded:

"Hi, I'm Emily," she wrote in an Instagram story post. "I'm new to many of you and I wanted to clear up something that happened a while ago.

"A few years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at trial, and came to a hearing early as an observer. I realized right away that I shouldn't have done that. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I haven't spoken to him since.

“Unbelievable details emerged and he was subsequently convicted.

“To put it as plainly as possible: I do not condone abuse against women, and I sympathize with the victims of these crimes.”

“Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson?” Bixler-Zavala wrote in a comment re-shared on Dead Sara’s Instagram page last year.