Bijou Phillips, the ex-wife of actor Danny Masterson, is taking a significant step to distance her family from the disgraced actor’s legal troubles. Phillips, 45, has filed a motion in a California court to legally change the name of her 11-year-old daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, to Fianna Francis Phillips. The request is part of the ongoing dissolution of their 12-year marriage, which ended shortly after Masterson’s 2023 rape conviction. The filing is pending approval from a judge, marking the final phase of the divorce proceedings.
The legal name change is a symbolic gesture for Phillips, who has been seeking to sever any connection to Masterson’s criminal past. The actor, now serving a 30-year prison sentence at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, was convicted in 2023 of two counts of forcible rape. The conviction followed a high-profile retrial and was met with significant public and legal scrutiny. Phillips filed for divorce shortly after the verdict, signaling the end of their turbulent relationship.
Masterson’s legal team had previously requested that Phillips receive physical and legal custody of Fianna, as outlined in court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. However, as the divorce proceedings conclude, the focus has shifted to the legal name change. The court also recently updated the marital status of both Phillips and Masterson to “single,” a move that underscores the finality of their separation.
Phillips, the daughter of Mamas & the Papas frontman John Phillips and actress Genevieve Waite, has also requested spousal support as part of the divorce proceedings. Court documents reveal that Masterson had initially faced up to 45 years in prison before his conviction. The case has drawn attention to the impact of public figures’ legal issues on their families, particularly the children of such individuals. The appeal process, which continues, has further complicated the situation, adding another layer of legal uncertainty.
While the focus of the name change is primarily on familial separation, it also reflects the broader implications of Masterson’s conviction. The case has sparked public debate about the justice system’s handling of high-profile sexual assault cases and the long-term consequences for victims and their families. The legal and emotional toll on Phillips and Fianna is evident, highlighting the complex interplay between personal relationships and public scrutiny in such cases.