Linkin Park’s new singer ‘not trying to be Chester Bennington’

Mike didn’t address criticisms from Chester’s family during the interview.

The singer’s mum told Rolling Stone magazine, external she felt “betrayed” and that she’d not been told in advance.

His son Jaime also criticised Emily personally, raising concerns about her alleged ties to the Church of Scientology and her past support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson.

Emily distanced herself from the former sitcom actor in a statement but didn’t address her links to Scientology – the controversial movement set up as a religion in the US in the 1950s by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard.

Mike focused on Emily’s singing, saying “passion is the driver” of her voice.

“When she sings, it’s like the passion and she’s just 100% her, that’s the best part,” he said.

“She’s not trying to be Chester, she’s not trying to be anybody else.

“She’s her and that’s why it works.”