Bijou Phillips, the ex-wife of Danny Masterson, is reportedly seeking a court’s approval to remove the convicted rapist’s surname from their daughter’s name.
As per court documents accessed by TMZ, the actress and model is aiming to legally change the name of their 11-year-old daughter from Fianna Masterson to Fianna Phillips. This move is seen as an effort to further distance themselves from the “That ’70s Show” actor, who has become a disgraced figure.
While Phillips awaits the court’s decision on this name change, she achieved a significant legal milestone last Friday when a judge officially declared the couple legally single.
Phillips initiated divorce proceedings in September 2023, shortly after Masterson received a prison sentence for two counts of forcible rape.
The 49-year-old actor is currently serving a sentence of 30 years to life, following his conviction for raping two women at his Hollywood-area residence in 2003, during the peak of his television career.
Masterson, a Scientologist, faced additional allegations involving the rape of a former girlfriend. However, that particular charge was dismissed after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. His conviction came after a mistrial in the previous year.
Masterson and Phillips began dating in 2004 and married in 2011. They became parents with the arrival of Fianna in 2014.
Upon Phillips’ divorce filing, her lawyer told TMZ that “her priority remains with her daughter.”
“This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family,” the statement read. “Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Mrs. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.”
By October 2023, Masterson signed over full legal and physical custody of Fianna to Phillips, who also requested the court award her spousal support. Phillips also sought to “terminate the court’s ability to grant support” to the actor.
