The decision for Linkin Park to welcome Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong into their ranks in place of the late Chester Bennington back in 2023 was a bold move. It was also an opportunity that seemed overwhelmingly daunting for Armstrong herself. While her anxieties and self-doubt over landing that gig are explored in the group’s new live film/documentary ‘UNSHATTER‘, Armstrong recently reflected on that period in a new interview with People.
Bennington was widely regarded as irreplaceable by the band’s fanbase. On top of that, there was the weight of the scrutiny and associated backlash for whoever tried to fill his role. Understandably, Armstrong had a lot of initial apprehension to overcome in accepting the spot. Speaking to the aforementioned publication, she spoke of second guessing herself and the approach that ultimately led to her feeling more comfortable with the band. She stated:
“You see it in the documentary where I’m just like, ‘Am I even cut out for this?’ You’re trying to give yourself every reason to just be like, ‘You’re not good. Everybody knows these songs.’”
Ultimately, rather than trying to emulate Bennington, Armstrong landed on the approach of aiming to match his emotional depth. She relayed of that:
“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. 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.’”
