in ,

BUZZ: Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips did not live apart 5 years prior to rape conviction: lawyer

BUZZ: Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips did not live apart 5 years prior to rape conviction: lawyer

filing for divorce, her attorney confirms to Page Six Saturday.

Court documents we obtained showed Phillips listed a second address for her and Masterson’s 9-year-old daughter, Fianna, from 2018 to present that specifically noted the child lives solely with her mother in Santa Ynez, Calif.

However, Peter Lauzon explains to Page Six exclusively that the reason the “That ’70s Show” alum is not listed as living with his client and Fianna is simply because he is currently not living there “at this moment.”

When asked if Masterson was living at the Santa Ynez location until he went to jail, the attorney responds, “Yes, of course he was.”

The court docs also show Fianna lived with both her mother and father in a Hollywood, Calif., home from 2014 to 2018.

According to Zillow, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom Hollywood compound was sold in 2021 for $6.2 million.

Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson walking outside courthouse.
Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips lived apart for five years before his conviction, according to court docs.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Bijou Phillips walking outside courthouse.
The docs show that their daughter, Fianna, lived solely with her mother in Santa Ynez, Calif.
Snorlax / MEGA

Reps for Masterson did not immediately return our requests for comment.

Phillips, 43, shockingly filed for divorce from the 47-year-old actor earlier this week, just days after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape.

The mother of one cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split, but did not list a date of separation despite seemingly living apart for years.

She is seeking spousal support and requested that any financial support for Masterson be denied, per the docs.

Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson walking outside courthouse.
The paperwork says their 9-year-old used to live with both her mother and father until 2018.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson arriving to court.
Phillips filed to divorce Masterson earlier this week.
AP

Prior to filing for divorce, the “Raising Hope” actress stood by Masterson’s side as he was found guilty of two counts of rape in May.

It was even recently reported that Phillips — who was photographed looking downcast as she left his sentencing — still believed the “Ranch” star was innocent.


For more Page Six you love ...


“It is a nightmare, but she will be on his side moving forward and continue to be present for their daughter,” a source claimed just one day after his sentencing.

Phillips even wrote a letter to the judge ahead of the sentencing vouching for his character, calling him an “amazing father.”


Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson on a red carpet.
The move was shocking as she’d stood by his side throughout his rape trial.
WireImage for PMK/HBH
Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson on a red carpet.
He was sentenced to 30 years in prison earlier this month.
FilmMagic

“We need him more than you can imagine,” she wrote in the letter. “I know he has been convicted of serious crimes. But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.”

After the conviction, a source told People that Phillips was going through a “hard time” but reaffirmed she had no plans to divorce him.

However on Tuesday, one day after the filing, her lawyer told TMZ she has decided to file as “her priority remains with her daughter.”

Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson in a court sketch drawing.
Masterson reportedly was not surprised Phillips decided to divorce him.
Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID

Sources then claimed to TMZ that Masterson was not surprised Phillips decided to end their 12-year marriage and knew it was coming.

Another source told Daily Mail that friends and family had been pushing her to consider divorce to show her daughter that “people need to be held accountable for what they do, even if it’s someone they love.”

The source added, “Bijou also is doing it to protect her assets and protect her future. She doesn’t want to lose money and land and housing over a future civil lawsuit against Danny.”

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.

Report

What do you think?

1.2k Points
Upvote Downvote

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *