Bijou Phillips Asks Court to Drop Ex-Husband Danny Masterson’s Name from Their Daughter’s Identity Two Years After His Conviction
Bijou Phillips is taking another major step in separating her life from that of her estranged husband, Danny Masterson. Two years after the former “That ’70s Show” actor was convicted of rape and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, Phillips has reportedly filed a petition in a California court to remove Masterson’s last name from their 10-year-old daughter’s identity.
According to new reports, Phillips’ filing requests that their daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, legally drop her father’s surname and go by Fianna Francis Phillips instead. It’s a deeply personal move that reflects Phillips’ ongoing efforts to protect her child from the weight of her father’s legal troubles and public notoriety.
Phillips, who married Masterson in 2011, initially stood by her husband throughout the early stages of his trial. She was present during hearings, submitting letters of support that spoke to his character and their life together. However, when Masterson was found guilty in May 2023 of two counts of rape involving women in incidents from the early 2000s, her stance appeared to shift dramatically. Shortly after his sentencing, she filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences” while requesting full legal and physical custody of their daughter.
At the time, court documents revealed that Phillips had struggled deeply with the fallout of her husband’s conviction. Her attorney described her as being focused entirely on her child’s emotional wellbeing and future. Friends close to the actress said she wanted to “create a new normal” for Fianna — one that didn’t carry the shadow of her father’s name or the media coverage surrounding his case.
In her most recent filing, sources say Phillips emphasized that the decision was not out of anger but out of love for her daughter. “Bijou wants Fianna to grow up without the stigma attached to the Masterson name,” one insider told PEOPLE. “She’s doing everything she can to give her child a chance to have a healthy and private life.”
Phillips’ journey has not been an easy one. The daughter of legendary musician John Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas, she has lived much of her life in the public eye. After building a successful career as an actress and model, she became known for her roles in films like Almost Famous and Bully. Her marriage to Masterson initially appeared to be one of Hollywood’s quieter success stories — a private couple who kept their life centered around family and faith. That image shattered when accusations against Masterson resurfaced years later, eventually leading to his conviction and imprisonment.
Today, Phillips is focused on moving forward. She’s been raising Fianna away from the spotlight, occasionally sharing small glimpses of their life together but remaining protective of her daughter’s privacy. Friends describe her as resilient, saying she has poured all her energy into being a present and grounded mother. “She wants to make sure Fianna grows up knowing she’s loved and safe,” a source added.
The request to change Fianna’s name marks a symbolic but powerful step in that process. It’s not just about erasing the past — it’s about reclaiming peace and giving her child a chance to define herself on her own terms. For Phillips, it represents closure, healing, and the quiet strength of a mother who refuses to let her daughter’s identity be tied to someone else’s mistakes.
In a life once marked by fame, glamour, and heartbreak, Bijou Phillips now stands as a woman choosing peace over publicity — and motherhood over everything else.
