Bijou Phillips has taken steps to alter her daughter’s surname in the wake of her ex-husband Danny Masterson’s conviction for rape.
The actress, now 45, who initiated divorce proceedings from the former That ’70s Show actor in 2023, has requested the legal change of her 11-year-old daughter’s last name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips, according to documents reviewed by TMZ.
Phillips shares her daughter, Fianna, with Masterson, who was sentenced in September 2023 to a prison term of 30 years to life for the rape of two women, incidents that took place from 2001 to 2003.
As Phillips awaits judicial approval for the name change, she and Masterson have officially regained their status as single individuals as of Friday.
Phillips has not yet responded to inquiries for comment from the Daily Mail.
The couple’s journey began with a meeting in Las Vegas in 2004, culminating in their marriage in 2011.
Bijou Philipps, 45, has filed to change her daughter’s last name; pictured with ex-husband Danny Masterson in 2016 in LA
The develompent comes after her ex Danny Masterson’s rape conviction; seen in January in Inglewood, California
The actress requested to change her 11-year-old daughter’s name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips, per court documents obtained by TMZ
However, when Masterson received his prison sentence – the model filed for divorce shortly after that same month.
At the time, sources informed the Daily Mail that the reasoning behind her decision to divorce were ‘twofold.’
‘Recently friends and family have told her to be a mom first and to consider divorce because it really shows her daughter that eventually people need to be held accountable for what they do, even if it is someone they love.’
The insider further added, ‘Bijou also is doing it to protect her assets and protect her future.
‘She doesn’t want to lose money and land and housing over a future civil lawsuit against Danny, she is looking to protect her future and that is one big reason she has pursued divorce…’
Phillips had stayed by Masterson’s side and supported him when he went to trial in 2023.
In May of that year, he was convicted of raping two women between the years of 2001 and 2003. But charges from a third woman resulted in a hung jury.
The Almost Famous actress had penned a letter to a judge calling her now-ex an ‘amazing father’ who worked to ‘shield younger actors from temptation.’
Phillips shares Fianna with the disgraced actor – who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in September 2023 for raping two women between 2001 and 2003
While she is awaiting for a judge to approve and sign off on her daughter’s name change, Phillips and Masterson received the status of single persons on Friday; former couple seen in 2015 in L.A.
The Almost Famous actress had penned a letter to a judge calling her now-ex an ‘amazing father’ who worked to ‘shield younger actors from temptation’; the pair seen outside of court in 2023 in L.A.
She had also called the actor a ‘life-saving partner’ and explained that, ‘After he lost his show and acting career, he devoted himself to finding other ways to earn a living.’
In conclusion, Phillips had also written to the judge, ‘We need him more than you can imagine. I know he has been convicted of serious crimes.
‘But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.’
Masterson began serving his sentence at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California before being moved to California’s Men Colony located in San Luis Obispo.
Late last year in December, he filed to appeal his rape convictions.
At the time, Masterson’s attorney Cliff Gardner officially filed a 246-page appeal to Superior Court Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo.
Garner had written that the ‘trial court violated Mr. Masterson’s rights to a fair trial by complaining witnesses had a strong financial incentive to characterize the long past sexual encounters as forcible rape.’
Phillips has been raising their daughter Fianna as her ex serves his prison sentence in California.
In conclusion, Phillips had also written to the judge, ‘We need him more than you can imagine. I know he has been convicted of serious crimes’
During an interview with E! News last year, she gave an update on her life following Masterson’s sentence.
‘I’m doing good,’ the actress told the outlet, before gushing that both she and her daughter are a ‘great little team.’
Phillips has since moved on and has been romantically linked to businessman Jamie Mazur – supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio’s ex.
Ambrosio and Mazur were previously in a relationship and became engaged in 2008. After welcoming two children, the pair announced their split in 2018.
Phillips and Mazur began dating last year in April and their romance has since gotten serious.
‘I’m doing good,’ the actress told the outlet, before gushing that both she and her daughter are a ‘great little team’
Phillips has since moved on and has been romantically linked to businessman Jamie Mazur – supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio’s ex; Ambrosio and Mazur seen in 2015 in Hollywood
Earlier this year in January, a source told People, ‘They are so in love.’
The insider added that the pair first met through ‘mutual friends’ after Phillips went through a ‘hard time’ following Masterson’s rape conviction.
‘He was initially just a confidant and someone safe that she could talk to. They’ve been dating for a couple of months now. He’s added a spark to her life. She seems much happier and more relaxed lately.’
The source continued, ‘It’s nice to see that Bijou also takes care of herself too. It’s great to see her smiling more.’
