Bijou Phillips has formally requested a court to remove Danny Masterson’s surname from their daughter’s legal name, and a judge has declared the former couple legally single. This move comes as Masterson serves a lengthy prison sentence for rape convictions, marking a significant step in Phillips’ efforts to distance her family from his legal troubles.
On October 24, 2025, Phillips submitted court documents seeking to change their 11-year-old daughter Fianna’s name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips. The paperwork is pending judicial approval, which would formally eliminate the Masterson connection from the child’s identity. This request represents a dramatic shift for Phillips, who had previously supported Masterson throughout his legal battles but is now prioritizing a fresh start for her daughter.
The same day, a judge restored Phillips and Masterson to single status, finalizing their divorce proceedings that began in September 2023. Phillips filed for divorce just days after Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two counts of forcible rape. The convictions stemmed from incidents that occurred in the early 2000s, with Masterson maintaining his innocence throughout multiple trials.
Phillips had stood by Masterson during both his criminal trial and retrial, even writing a letter to the court praising him as an ‘amazing father’ and ‘extraordinary husband.’ However, the immense strain of the legal proceedings and his imprisonment led her to seek divorce, with her attorney emphasizing that her priority remains their daughter’s well-being.
Since the divorce, Phillips has been awarded full custody of Fianna, while Masterson has requested visitation rights. Phillips has moved on with her life and is now in a relationship with businessman Jamie Mazur. She has been focused on raising their daughter and building a new chapter away from the scandal, occasionally bringing Fianna to visit Masterson in prison.
Masterson is currently incarcerated at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, where he is serving his sentence. The couple was married for 11 years after tying the knot in 2011 and welcomed their daughter in 2014. The name change request underscores Phillips’ desire to protect her daughter from the association with Masterson’s crimes and ensure her future is not overshadowed by his legacy.
The court’s decision on the name change is awaited, and if approved, it will mark a complete legal separation for Phillips and her daughter from Masterson. This development highlights the ongoing repercussions of Masterson’s actions on his family and their efforts to move forward with resilience and independence.