Samantha Bennington and Draven Bennington. Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Draven Bennington, child of late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, has come out as transgender.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Draven, 21 (who uses she/her pronouns), wrote in a heartfelt post shared via Instagram on Friday, February 14. “As today is a day to celebrate love and what love truly means, whether it’s for a partner, family, or ourselves, I thought it would be the perfect time to show some love to myself.”
Chester, who died in 2017 at age 41, welcomed Draven in 2002 with ex Samantha Bennington, to whom he was married from 1996 to 2005.
Draven continued, “For a long time, I tried to be someone, someone I truly wasn’t on the inside. Ignoring it worked for a while, but continuously coming to the crossroads of being happy or being complacent was one I couldn’t keep crossing.” She revealed that in August 2024, she “decided to take the path of happiness and being true to myself.”
Dwyane Wade, Khary Payton and more celebrities have supported their LGBTQ+ kids’ journeys. During a February 2020 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Wade opened about his daughter Zaya coming out as transgender, noting that he takes his “roles and responsibilities” as her father “very seriously.” Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters […]
“I came out as transgender and started hormone replacement therapy, and it has been the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” Draven continued. “I do have to say I am very blessed to be able to do this, as well as having such supportive family and friends. I love each and every one of you who have shown nothing but love and respect and see me for who I truly am.”
Draven Bennington Courtesy of Draven Bennington/Instagram
Draven took a moment to “especially” thank her mother, Samantha, for her support. “You’ve always unconditionally loved me,” she wrote. “I’m so blessed to be your child! I love you to the moon and back! With all the support and love I’ve received. I’ve built the strength to love myself. This is why I’m choosing to no longer hide who I am. Love is love.”
Samantha, 53, commented on her daughter’s post, writing, “I’m so proud of you. I love you with all my heart and soul. You’re my favorite human on the planet. I just want you happy and healthy forever and always.😍”
After his divorce from Samantha, Chester moved on with Talinda Bennington in 2005, going on to welcome three children: son Tyler, 13, and twins Lilly and Lila, 8. Talinda remarried two years after the musician’s passing, exchanging vows with Michael Fredman in January 2020.
Though it’s been nearly seven years since the world lost Chester Bennington, fans of Linkin Park got a chance to hear his voice again. On Friday, February 23, the band announced Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023), their first-ever career-spanning greatest hits album. Arriving on April 12 via Warner Records, the album will include “Friendly Fire,” a […]
Chester died by suicide in July 2017. Last year, for the first time since the frontman’s death, Linkin Park announced their return to music with a world tour, a new album and two new members — singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain — joining original members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn and Dave Farrell.
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