r/EmilyArmstrong

Comments I regularly see under videos where Emily performs this song or *Where'd You Go*, and fans automatically interpret her expression of sorrow as meaning she “misses Chester.” There’s a lot of projection going on here, and it annoys me...

It’s as if, for some fans, Emily doesn’t exist or has no personality outside of Linkin Park. As if she didn’t have a traumatic past marked by grief, depression, breakups, toxic relationships, abandonment, abuse, shattered dreams, dashed hopes, and suicidal thoughts... I am 100% convinced that Chester doesn’t cross her mind for even a second when she performs these songs and the emotion brings tears to her eyes!

This woman is 40 years old! Born into a cult, a difficult childhood, a grueling journey in the music industry, navigating a homophobic environment as a gay woman, replacing an icon in a band whose comeback success rests almost entirely on her shoulders... I think there’s enough there for LP’s music to be inspiring to her on a personal and intimate level.

Not only is she constantly compared to Chester musically, but I find it reductive for her that all these actions are also associated with him. You'll probably tell me that's normal in the context, but I still don't think so after two years.

I just adore how chaotic and goofy she is when she dances with the music. Just uninhibited and reckless. It makes me smile and I have the biggest platonic crush on her because of it.