Bijou Phillips has formally requested a court order to remove “Masterson” from her daughter Fianna’s last name. The move comes as her ex-husband, Danny Masterson, continues to serve a lengthy prison sentence.
Court documents obtained by TMZ on Friday, October 24, indicate Phillips, 45, filed to change her 11-year-old daughter’s name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips. A judge has not yet approved the request.
Phillips initiated divorce proceedings in September 2023. She and Masterson were declared legally single shortly thereafter, as also reported by TMZ.
The couple began dating in 2004 and married in 2011. Their daughter, Fianna, was born in February 2014.
Masterson, known for his role in ‘That ’70s Show,’ faced multiple sexual assault accusations starting in 2017. He was arrested in 2020 on three rape charges, which he consistently denied.
Phillips stood by Masterson through his trials. The first case in 2022 resulted in a hung jury. A new trial commenced in April 2023.
During the second trial, Phillips penned a letter to the court advocating for her then-husband. The letter, obtained by a Scientology-focused publication, highlighted Masterson’s role as a father.
“I depended on Danny to care for me and our daughter,” she wrote. “I always felt she would be fine because Danny is an incredible father. He was dedicated to our daughter.”
Phillips added that Fianna was “heartbroken” without her father. “More than anything, she loves her father,” she stated in the letter. “We need him more than you can imagine.”
One month later, Masterson was convicted on two counts of rape related to incidents from the early 2000s. In August 2023, he received a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
Days after his sentencing, Phillips filed for divorce after 12 years of marriage. She sought full custody of their daughter.
Her lawyer, Lauzon Paluch, told TMZ at the time that Phillips’ priority remained her daughter. He also noted that Masterson “is a wonderful father.”
In March 2024, Phillips took Fianna to visit Masterson at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Photos from the visit, which occurred days after Masterson’s birthday, were published by The Daily Mail.