Revealing their true self, a child of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington has come out as transgender in an emotional Instagram post. In the post, Chester Bennington’s child, Draven, announced she was transgender and began transitioning in 2024.
Videos by Suggest
“For a long time, I tried to be someone, someone I truly wasn’t on the inside,” Draven, who now uses she/her pronouns, shared. “Ignoring it worked for a while, but continuously coming to the crossroads of being happy or being complacent was one I couldn’t keep choosing.”
Draven then explained that in August 2024, she decided to “take the path of happiness and being true” to herself. “It has been the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” she said. “I love each and every one of you who have shown me nothing but love and respect and see me for who I truly am.”
“With all the support and love I’ve received, I’ve built the strength to love myself,” Draven added. “This is why I’m choosing to no longer hide who I am. Love is love. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Draven’s mother Samantha, Bennington’s first wife, praised her in the post’s comment section: “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.”
Samantha and Chester welcomed Draven in 2002. The couple was married until 2005. Along with Draven, Bennington had five other children. The Linkin Park frontman died by suicide in July 2017 at the age of 41.
Draven Previously Opened Up About the Loss of Chester Bennington
While speaking to PEOPLE in 2023, Draven opened up about the loss of her father.
“One of our biggest things that we would do together [was] to go rock climbing,” Draven recalled. “And it would be me and my little brother, Tyler, and that would usually be our thing. Every now and then, we’d go out and go rock climbing at this place, Hangar 18. It was just one of our favorite things.”
Draven also joked about how she and her five siblings all have their father’s “big ears.” She also said the Bennington children have a great bond. “I definitely have a closer bond with my younger siblings,” she added. “Just because we’re closer in age, but they’re all great.”