Yesterday, Bijou Phillips, the wife of former actor Danny Masterson, filed for divorce after 12 years of marriage. This announcement follows Masterson's sentencing to 30 years in prison for rape charges against two women in late May.
The court documents, obtained by ET, state that Phillips submitted the paperwork on Monday in Santa Barbara County Court in California. The documents revealed that the couple's date of separation was labeled as "TBD." Phillips cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason behind their divorce.
Phillips is now seeking attorney's fees, spousal support, and a change back to her legal name, Phillips. She has also requested full custody of their nine-year-old daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, while expressing her willingness to grant Masterson visitation rights.
Phillips' lawyer, Peter A. Lauzon, issued a statement to ET, saying, "Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains her daughter." He further acknowledged the hardship this period has imposed on all involved parties, noting, "This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during the most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter."
Prior to their separation, Phillips had stood by Masterson during his lengthy court trial, which began in 2017. Reports emerged the following year that Masterson was under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department for multiple sexual assault allegations dating back to the early 2000s. Phillips was present in the courtroom back in May when Masterson was found guilty, and Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo warned her to compose herself or leave the courtroom after she cried. Phillips and Masterson were seen leaving the courtroom together, accompanied by Masterson's brother and mother.
Masterson and Phillips were married in October 2011 during an intimate celebration in Ireland. They welcomed their daughter in February 2014. Now, critics are eagerly anticipating the developments in the intense divorce proceedings expected to unfold over the coming weeks.