On September 7th, Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years-to-life for his conviction on two counts of rape. It took years to get the case to trial, then the first one ended in mistrial, then Masterson was convicted in May. His wife Bijou Phillips stayed with him through all of it, showing up to court with him every day and having her friends brief People Magazine about how she would never leave him. Then, last week, she filed for divorce. My first concern was about what Scientology would do to her. Other people (correctly) suggested that CoS might be fine with this divorce because it’s all about protecting Bijou’s assets. Maybe she won’t face the wrath of CoS because it seems like divorce might have even been something she and Danny agreed on.
Bijou Phillip’s divorce filing against Danny Masterson seemed shocking considering her very public support of the actor, but behind the scenes, it wasn’t a big surprise … TMZ has learned.
Sources close to the estranged couple tell TMZ Masterson knew the divorce docs were coming, so he wasn’t blindsided as many had suspected. We’re told Danny and Bijou’s main concern now is to protect their daughter from upcoming appeals and legal challenges.
As we reported, Danny was sentenced to 30 years to life behind bars for two rape convictions.
Many speculated Bijou’s divorce filing could be an attempt to protect their daughter’s future assets if civil lawsuits follow … though the exact reason she filed is still unclear.
As we reported, Bijou was steadfast in her support of Danny throughout his trial … even writing a letter to the judge and praising Danny for his character and her trust in him as a father and partner.
“Bijou’s divorce filing could be an attempt to protect their daughter’s future assets if civil lawsuits follow…” See, I never really considered either of them to have a huge cash flow, although Bijou is a nepo baby and it’s likely she inherited money from her late father. Maybe they don’t have much money (especially after they pay the lawyers) and Bijou is just trying to protect what she does have before all of Masterson’s victims start suing.
There are also some shenanigans with Masterson and Phillips’ real estate – I think they owned two homes for years and the Mail was trying to say that Bijou and Danny lived separately for five years, but Masterson’s lawyer denies that.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Backgrid.
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* 
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* 
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*
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* 
Hollywood, CA – **FILE PHOTO** Danny Masterson Found Guilty In Rape Trial. Pictured Here: Danny Masterson at the Olympus Has Fallen film premiere at The ArcLight Cinemas in Los Angeles, California. March 18, 2013. Pictured: Danny Masterson BACKGRID USA 31 MAY 2023 BYLINE MUST READ: MediaPunch / 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* 
-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.comncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWtnZn94e8Oapaexj6KutMDEq6qopo%2BsrrS605iqrqqgp7a0scOYrqGdnpSvqrbOrpapoJmhuaq80pidoqSVmaynu9GYm6Kun6ewpqvLmqqtl6easqx7