“She is who she is and that’s why she works,” Linkin Park’s musician and founder said in response to questions about new singer Emily Armstrong.

Mike Shinoda has decided to defend Linkin Park’s new vocalist Emily Armstrong from criticism. In a recent interview with Radio 1’s New Music Show, the instrumentalist and founder of the iconic American band clarified that the singer has no intention of replacing Chester Bennington, the band’s frontman and lead singer, who passed away in 2017.

Emily Armstrong has been the subject of criticism from some Linkin Park fans, as well as relatives of the late Chester Bennington, who were unhappy with Armstrong’s involvement in the band. Shinoda has now clarified that the singer just wants to be “herself” and that it “fits” with the group.

“When she sings, she sings with passion, and she’s just, like, 100 percent herself. That’s the best part… She’s not trying to be Chester (Bennington). She’s not trying to be anybody else. She’s herself, and that’s why it works,” the 47-year-old rapper and songwriter said.

At another point, Mike Shinoda stressed that Linkin Park’s return to the stage was “not about rewriting or remaking” the band, but rather “welcoming another chapter.” In that sense, the musician clarified that he first became interested in bringing Armstrong into the fold in 2019, when they began writing together.

Ultimately, he clarified that, at first, the intention wasn’t to reactivate Linkin Park, but rather “the chemistry that just happened” between the band, Emily Armstrong, and new drummer Colin Britain, who came in to replace Rob Bourdon.