Months ago, when Danny Masterson was convicted of two counts of rape, sources insisted that his wife Bijou Phillips had no plans to leave him, and that she still supported him completely. Then Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison at his sentencing hearing two weeks ago. Once again, “sources” were trotted out, swearing up and down to People Magazine that Bijou loves Masterson and “has no plans to file for divorce.” Sh-t got real with the sentencing, that much is clear, but I didn’t expect the turnaround this quickly – Bijou has filed for divorce.
Bijou Phillips has made the decision to end her marriage with Danny Masterson, less than two weeks after he got 30 years to life for rape.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Bijou filed to end things Monday in a California court. Her attorney, Peter A. Lauzon, tells TMZ, “Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter.”
He continues, “This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.”
Bijou stood by Masterson throughout his rape trial and re-trial … even accompanying him at his sentencing hearing.
Bijou Phillips lists the estranged couple’s date of separation as “TBD” in the legal docs, and says it was “irreconcilable differences” that led to the end of their marriage. She asks for spousal support, attorneys fees and that her legal name be restored to Bijou Phillips.
The elephant in the room – which even TMZ does not want to address – is Scientology and what CoS will do to Bijou now that she’s seeking a divorce. Like, it’s abundantly clear that CoS was “protecting” Masterson even as he drugged and raped other Scientologists, not to mention drugging and raping women outside of CoS. They were still protecting him when his victims went to the LAPD and LA County DA’s office and charges were brought. Now that he’s going to prison, is CoS cutting their ties with him? I doubt it. Bijou needs to be so careful here.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images.
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- Los Angeles, CA – Actor Danny Masterson is in court once again as he stands trial on three charges of forcible rape. The jury in the case was unable to reach a decision after three days of deliberations and were ordered to return today. Judge Charlaine Olmedo replaced two jurors today after they had notified the court that they had tested positive for Covid. The judge replaced the jurors with two alternates and ordered that they begin deliberations again. Pictured: Bijou Phillips, Danny Masterson BACKGRID USA 28 NOVEMBER 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – Jury deliberations resumed today in the rape trial of “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson, one day after jurors were ordered to begin anew with two alternates added, following news that two panelists had tested positive for COVID-19. Pictured: Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips BACKGRID USA 29 NOVEMBER 2022 BYLINE MUST READ: no byline@backgrid.com / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – Jury deliberations resumed today in the rape trial of “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson, one day after jurors were ordered to begin anew with two alternates added, following news that two panelists had tested positive for COVID-19. Pictured: Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips BACKGRID USA 29 NOVEMBER 2022 BYLINE MUST READ: no byline@backgrid.com / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – Danny Masterson is seen arriving in court today with wife Bijou Phillips, as jury is believed to be issuing their verdict today in his rape retrial case. The jury has been deliberating for over a week in the rape retrial after the first ended in a mistrial in December, with a jury deadlocked on all counts. Pictured: Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips BACKGRID USA 30 MAY 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – Danny Masterson is seen arriving in court today with wife Bijou Phillips, as jury is believed to be issuing their verdict today in his rape retrial case. The jury has been deliberating for over a week in the rape retrial after the first ended in a mistrial in December, with a jury deadlocked on all counts. Pictured: Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips BACKGRID USA 30 MAY 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- -Jersey City, New Jersey – 6/4/2016 – The Ninth Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. -PICTURED: Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips -PHOTO by: Fernando Lucena/startraksphoto.com -LUC_3858 Editorial – Rights Managed Image – Please contact www.startraksphoto.com for licensing fee Startraks Photo New York, NY For licensing please call 212-414-9464 or email sales@startraksphoto.com Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image. If you violate our intellectual property you may be liable for actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image, and where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or statutory damages. Image may not be published in any way that is or might be deemed defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification or question you may have. Featuring: Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips Where: Jersey City, New Jersey, United States When: 04 Jun 2016 Credit: Fernando Lucena/startraksphoto.com
Didn’t she say she loved him so much she had no intentions nor any plans to divorce him? Hhhmm, I wonder what changed? She needs to be very careful, McTavish (sp?) and his minions will hunt her down. CoS eats and feasts on its own.
Civil lawsuits and asset protection?
Right? What changed is she got good legal advice.
This is entirely about Co$ protecting Masterson’s assets.
Asset protection is what I thought as soon as I heard this news. And I bet COS & Danny are fully behind this move.
Exactly this. Of course Davey Miscavige is pulling the strings here. That 12 y/o scotch ain’t gonna pay for itself.
I also see this as CoS protecting their money. Masterson is still facing civil lawsuits and he won’t be recruiting many members from jail. I don’t see this as Bijou coming to her senses.
spot on – this is absolutely to protect their money and is a joint strategy.
Victims can sue for damages in civil court. She shouldn’t be sharing any finances with Masterson.
There already is an active lawsuit for harrassment.
I can almost guarantee that she’s doing this to protect their assets and money. It’s pretty common. The civil lawsuits are coming. They’ll probably put everything in her name when they divorce and then his victim-survivors will get nothing if/when they sue. He and the Church are probably on board and helping her do this.
Asset protection. That’s how it always goes.
These people do not run their own lives. I assume Scientology has approved/ progressed the divorce proceeding for the purposes of hiding his assets (with her support) against any potential civil liability suits.
This is a) rich people nonsense, and b) Scientology cult of money nonsense. Morals do not apply.
Agreed. This is a strategy all have agreed on to protect assets and their daughter. She hasn’t changed her mind or conviction at all. She’s a CoS lifer.
Bingo
Like two of her siblings, she has turned to religious fanaticism to deal with childhood trauma. It’s unfortunate there is no one in her life who can help her break free of a highly destructive cult.
The fact that the founder of scientology was a low brow sci fi author who wrote about aliens and the cosmos in the 1930s pulps is all I needed to know about this organization. Also, yes, I def think this is a scientology-approved move.
%100 Correct!
I’d be surprised if he hasn’t been already declared a SP and the ScientoCult ordered her to divorce him in no uncertain terms.
I don’t think so. He has been under their protection all these years. He was raised in it-his mom and siblings are still in.
I was listening to Leah Remini’s podcast and she says Danny is still in “good standing” with Scientology. As others have stated, this is probably a way for Bijou not to be sued in the civil case.
The thing that is so messed up is that Scientology declared the rape victims SPs but Danny remains in good standing.
People are saying it’s to protect her/their assets from the victims being able to sue
That is exactly what I thought. Now that he’s been convicted and sentenced, the civil suits can’t be far behind. If I were in her position – with or without a kid to raise – I’d be doing the same.
I believe that it is to protect assets also, because this woman is brainwashed.
Someone I know had a husband who was charged with a serious crime and she was advised to file for divorce immediately. You can be destroyed financially if you’re married to a convicted felon.
The divorce is probably strategic move meant to protect money and property in the event of a civil suit. I don’t have a lot of faith that she’s changed at all.
I wonder if this is an attempt to protect assets somehow. Or Scientology has her next assignment ready.
Tom Cruise?
I’m actually thinking this is a financial strategy only. I wonder if they’re anticipating civil lawsuits as well, and they’re trying to protect assets for Bijou and their daughter.
HA! It seems a lot of us on this thread had that thought!
Can you be divorced in the eyes of the local/state/federal government but still married in the eyes of the Scientologists? I hate to use the word religion there….
I’m any that what some of the old polygamists used to do? They couldn’t be legally married to everyone but said in the eyes of their religion/God they were?
Maybe Bijou is cutting ties with the org. Quite frankly, there’s really nothing they can say or leak about her that hasn’t already been said. We know her dirt. She can walk away from the org and live a free life if her mind is right…which I’m not sure it is or really ever has been yet.
I also wonder if that would mean Ashton and Mila would disconnect from her. Because, yeah, they’re low-key doing Scientology’s bidding.
Waiting to hear what Lisa Remini has to say about this.
According to a blind item from further back, they’d already separated and were living apart; in light of the charges, Scientology ordered her to “return home” to present a united front.
So much cynicism here. Everyone assuming this is for asset protection. Doesn’t anyone believe in good old fashioned divorce because you were married to a violent predator and now he’s in prison any more? (/sarcasm just be clear. Obviously this is a rich person strategy).
How am I still so naive that my first thought was maybe she has escaped. Sigh.
Glad I’m not the only one. My first thought was, ‘this is a surprise, good for her’, & then I started reading the comments. Oh. Of course. Asset protection.
Her turnaround is so quick. That’s what makes it look like asset protection. Two weeks ago she was ride or die. If the divorce had happened a couple of months from now, it would be easier to believe she had an awakening, after processing everything.
It’s the smart move, and I’m not gonna judge a woman for making a smart financial decision. Gonna judge her for being ride or die to begin with in the face of evidence and years of knowledge of who he is. I don’t blame her for his behavior. That’s on him. But she’d need to do quite a bit at this point to separate herself from his legacy and the abusive cult that protected him.
Yeah, I feel like the headline should read that she filed for divorce after the SENTENCING. No one was expecting 30 years to life and imo that’s the only thing that made her — and likely the team of Scientologists surrounding her— take this seriously. It’s terrifying that so much has been exposed about the Co$ yet somehow they still seem to wield a lot of power.
ETA @Alita and @BeanieBean, I also had that split-second “I wonder if she somehow finally believes he’s guilty” before realizing that no, this was definitely done for practical reasons and probably over her objections.
Oh, absolutely @bettyrose!
This is all via COS orders no doubt.
Masterson is a disgrace to the ‘church’ now and open to civil suits.
So Bijou is leaving him and taking all of the money before the victims get it.
I have no doubt her feelings haven’t changed but they don’t matter to COS.
It’s definitely a strategy to protect the assets because of the civil lawsuits. It was so obvious when I read about her filing for divorce so quickly that it shocked me that many people on the Daily Mail were thinking it was for any other reason.
I’m not sure why it isn’t in this except but I asked on Twitter last night why she was seeking sole legal and physical custody and visitation for Masterson. Any CBers familiar with family law? Considering he’s going to be in jail until their daughter is 40 I thought custody was a given? And why would she ask for him to have visitation rights? They aren’t going to let him out on day visits. Will the courts forever her to maintain a schedule of bringing the child to jail? Is she doing this to make sure CoS doesn’t try to take their daughter?
Could this be a protection for her in case he gets a new trial or is out in appeal?
Just because she’s “seeking” something in her divorce filing doesn’t mean anyone anticipates a fight about it. She filed her documents, and they lay out what she thinks should happen. You have to check the boxes on the paperwork even if you’re famous and the circumstances behind the breakup of your marriage are public.
As for visitation, it’s again a case of the rules being made to attempt to fit everyone. Most people in prison aren’t serial rapists who are sentenced to 30 years. Prisoners can seek and be granted visitation rights with their children, and there are families like this one where the other parent agrees to visitation without there being conflict about it. I’m not sure staying in touch with Danny Masterson is a positive thing, but imagine a family where the child’s mother is serving a couple years for drug possession. Or to make it more extreme, imagine a family where the child’s mother is serving a prison sentence for driving her friend to an abortion clinic. There are times when maintaining a parent-child relationship is important enough for there to be prison visits to help maintain it.
Sole physical custody was a given. Maybe sole legal custody is for when there are decisions to be made about their daughter, moving, schooling, extracurriculars (like extra auditing, idk), signing up for the SeaOrg, extra super secret Scientology vitamins…so they don’t have to contact the rapist’s warden for join decision making.
This is not a real divorce y’all. I mean legally it is. And that’s the point. At this point Masterson’s victims can sue him and they would likely win. A divorce would protect their assets. As Masterson could essentially give Bijou everything and then beg poverty.
The cop from MN, his wife did the same thing. Also changed her name and her kids back to the maiden name. I read in another article Bijou is also going back to her maiden name. I assume her daughter too. That’s protection for the kids. I wonder if that’s the entire reason? Or the one she’s giving Danny?
I was going to mention that – as soon as Derek Chauvin was arrested for the murder of George Floyd, his wife did the same thing, presumably to protect whatever financial assets they had, and hell, I would want to divorce the man that I was married to that is on video murdering a man in the street for the world to see.
No doubt this is about asset protection for Bijou, but it also could have been the final straw for her. People do wake up from Scientology and leave – perhaps this was a wake-up moment for her? Realizing the extent of their cover-up for her husband’s crimes and finally accepting the truth that her husband is the serial sadistic rapist and sexual predator that he is.
She is only doing this to save their assets. I’m sure they had a plan for many years. Some of the stuff that he was charged with happened during their time together. And I feel like the heat is going to continue on Ashton and Mila. Especially Ashton. He’s been friends for many many years since they were teenagers. He knows Danny’s secrets and how he was. Mila was just 14 years old when she met Danny and Ashton, so I give her a bit of grace.
A convicted felon residing behind bars for the next 30 years can’t do anything to benefit Cult CO$! Time to go to work on Bijou, that’s where the $$$$ is and as everyone knows where the cash is CO$ is soon to follow.
Probably for monetary reasons in the event civil cases are filed. She’s definitely not seen the light.
She is only filing to protect assets from civil suits.
I bet it’s all smoke and mirrors and in name only.
I feel like Ashton/Mila were blackmailed into writing those letters of support for Danny Masterson. Friendships in Hollywood are fickle, I can’t see them risking their reputation for a convicted criminal. CoS must have some serious dirt of them. I’m sure celebs in Masterson’s friend circle (Hilary Duff, Chris Pine. etc) are hella nervous right now. I hope they all get exposed.
Protection of assets is a good move. Otherwise she risks losing everything jointly held. Danny is the convicted felon, not his wife. She and her daughter have a moral right to a portion of his assets. My guess is that the authorities won’t allow him to just transfer all his property over to anybody else with pending financial penalties.
Don’t know if Bijou realizes how true the accusations were yet. Danny Masterson got the right sentence — he is a serial rapist and unlikely to change, he needs to be kept away from the rest of us. The two Jane Does who got a conviction against him were undoubtedly the tip of the iceberg. But predators do not prey on everybody. He obviously didn’t consider his family and friends to be his prey, so they saw a very different side of him. It’s a shock and takes time for most people to put it all together when their experience with the predator was so non-predatory.
What I saw of Ashton and Mila’s statement to the judge was consistent with what they both said many years ago when they were quite young and still on the tv show and there were no legal troubles in sight. Mila in particular seemed quite unafraid of Danny and they both seemed to feel he helped them. I think they were telling the truth about the Danny Masterson they knew, which does not invalidate the testimony of the Jane Does who were his prey and saw a very different side of him.
I find the attacks on supportive friends and family of Masterson to be rather disturbing and a type of witness intimidation, because people should feel free to relate their own direct experiences with the prisoner to a judge before sentencing and let the judge weigh the different statements. Judges know that different people can have very different experiences with the same person. I have no way to judge how much Ashton knew and when he knew, but that is a separate issue. People need to feel free to state their own direct experiences, especially to a judge, even if they are different from the now accepted view.
This happens frequently. Family and neighbors are astonished to hear that little Johnny grew up to be a serial killer, because he didn’t show any signs to them. They were not his prey. A friend didn’t know until he was an adult what his father had been doing to his sisters in the same house. The girls hadn’t told anybody. The sisters each didn’t even know that the other one was being abused as well. They both were scared to tell anyone and Demon Daddy told each of them that if she didn’t cooperate, he would go after her sister. So each thought they were protecting the other. It all came out only after they were all safely full grown.
My cats are Mother Nature’s perfect little predators but they treat me very differently than they treat a mouse or cricket. I am simply not their prey. If I hadn’t seen the cuddly little motor reflex killers in action myself, I would also have a hard time believing the testimony of witnesses to the contrary.
Although I agree her decision is to protect the assets I think there may also something deeper. What Masterson did to countless women he may also have done to his wife. One of the three women had dated him for awhile and he still raped her. I hope Bijou is protecting herself as well as her assets
I agree with everyone who thinks this is a move for asset protection.
What I wonder about is…can she be sued? Are there allegations/proof she knew about Danny’s predatory actions? If yes, I wonder if she’ll be named in any lawsuits.
I think she knew enough to know the survivors weren’t lying and she protected Danny anyway but that’s just my gut instinct.
She comes from a very, very dysfunctional family. See what her half sister Mackenzie said about a consensual incestuous relationship with their father.
So disturbing what this guy did and what he and Ashton used to say in interviews about young girls.
The uncharitable take would be she’s protecting assets in case he’s sued for damages.
But the more charitable take is that a rapist is probably coercive and abusive to his own spouse too, and now that Masterson is locked up, she’s safe to finally leave him.
Post filing, she’s been on the DM with some laughing-in-cafe pap shots. It looks like she’s trying to distance herself and tell everyone she’s free from the rapist.