Danny Masterson's ex Bijou Phillips files to change daughter's name
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
American model and actress Bijou Phillips is asking a California court to change the name of the daughter she shares with actor Danny Masterson.
Masterson, who portrayed Steven Hyde in That '70s Show between 1998 to 2006, is currently in prison after being convicted of rape.
The 49-year-old is behind bars at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, after he was convicted of the rape of two women in September 2023 following a retrial.
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Masterson was first charged in 2020 with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003.
Following a mistrial in 2022, the actor - who pled not guilty to the charges - was convicted on two counts in May 2023, while the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the third count.
He's currently serving a sentence of 30 years to life in prison for two counts of rape after being sentenced in Septmeber.
Phillips, best known for starring in Almost Famous, Havoc and Raising Hope, filed for divorce from Masterson - whom she married back in 2011 - about two weeks after his sentencing, citing 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their split.
She also requested legal and physical custody of their daughter, while asking that her ex be granted visitation.
"Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter," Phillips' lawyer Peter A. Lauzon told PEOPLE in a statement at the time.
"This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life," Lauzon continued.
"Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter. She hopes that everyone will respect her family's privacy in these difficult times."
During their marriage, the pair welcomed a daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, in 2014.
Last Friday (24 October), Phillips filed to change the 11-year-old's name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, with the filing reportedly awaiting approval from a judge.
A judge is currently reviewing the request, according to TMZ, which broke the story.
Masterson has filed to appeal his conviction with his lawyers arguing that the trial was 'rife with erroneous judicial rulings that skewed the jury's view of the evidence against him,' and that a 'stunning amount of exculpatory evidence' was withheld from the jury.
Tyla has reached out to Danny Masterson's representatives for comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
Rhiannon Ingle