Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda clarified that he preferred Emily Armstrong to contribute her own voice to the band’s new songs, stating that he didn’t want a replacement vocalist who looked like the late singer Chester Bennington because it “weirds him out.”

After Chester Bennington passed away, Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda recently shared his thoughts on the band’s quest for a vocalist to help with their new song. Shinoda made it clear that he isn’t searching for someone who can mimic Chester’s distinctive voice.

Such an approach, he said, feels awkward and even “weirds him out,” because it would not respect the distinct identity and legacy Chester brought to the band. Shinoda, on the other hand, values originality and authenticity, saying he would rather have someone like Emily Armstrong, who was with Dead Sara, contribute her own unique style and energy to the music.

This position represents Linkin Park’s changing musical direction, which aims to both honor their history and explore new artistic possibilities. Shinoda’s receptiveness to a variety of vocal styles shows his dedication to authenticity and his wish to let emerging artists completely express themselves rather than just copy existing work.

For fans, this choice demonstrates the band’s commitment to developing and innovating while preserving the essence of their music in a novel and significant way. It also emphasizes how crucial uniqueness and inventiveness are to Linkin Park’s continuous development, guaranteeing that their music will always be an authentic representation of who they are today rather than an effort to imitate the past.