Bijou Phillips reportedly leaves Scientology following estranged husband Danny Masterson's rape conviction

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Danny Masterson was removed from the Church of Scientology not long after he was found guilty of rape last autumn, and his estranged wife, Bijou Phillips, is reported to have quit the church as well.

It was announced that Masterson, 47, had been expelled from Scientology, or labeled as a "Suppressive Person [SP]," a few days after he was given a 30-year prison sentence for rape in September 2023.

The drastic move happened even after the church openly backed the actor and insisted on his innocence during his criminal trials.

It calls for other Scientologists, including his wife and family, to stop communicating with him.

Bijou Phillips left Scientology weeks after Danny Masterson was declared 'SP'

Phillips, 43, had also supported her husband of 12 years diligently during the two trials, showing up for the court proceedings every day on his arm.

However, she filed for divorce a few days after her husband's September 2023 sentence.

However, it seems that the actress is still devoted to her husband regardless of their split and Masterson's imprisonment, choosing to abandon the faith rather than entirely break off communication with him.

"Bijou left a few weeks after she found out that Danny had been declared an SP [suppressive person] for not living up to the standards of the church," a source told Daily Mail on Wednesday, January 17. 

According to a source with extensive connections to former Scientologists, Phillips left the church with the help of her sisters because she did not want to sever her relationship with Masterson, notably because of their young daughter.

According to the source, Phillips "had nothing to lose" because most of her loved ones are not Scientologists.

"It’s never an easy decision to leave Scientology because you face being ripped apart from your family and friends who are still members," the source added.

The actress allegedly chose because she wanted to ensure that 9-year-old Fianna, the couple's only child, remained in contact with her father.

According to Scientology's disconnection guidelines, Phillips "wasn’t about to cut ties with Danny," the informant stated. "Bijou would never do that to her daughter."

Bijou Phillips reportedly left Scientology with the help of half-sister Chynna Phillips

The 'Raising Hope' actress left the organization discreetly with the assistance of her half-sister, Chynna Phillips, claims Daily Mail. 

The insider said, alluding to Chynna and her husband Billy Baldwin's fervent Christian beliefs, "Chynna has been a rock for Bijou, and even though she’s passionate about her own religion, she would never force anything onto Bijou."

The insider further added, "Scientology’s biggest threat now is Danny and whether or not he will blow the lid on the church and its secrets, meaning what they told him to do, how to handle the rape allegations. It’s far from over, especially with the civil suits coming up."

The Daily Mail revealed in October 2023 that Masterson had been expelled from the church due to his conviction for two counts of rape, which included a 30-year jail sentence.

The 'That '70s Show' star had been labeled an SP, per a former Scientologist who spoke with the outlet at the time.

According to the religion, an SP is someone whose actions aim to obstruct the spiritual advancement of people around them.

All communication between people classified as suppressive and active members must end.

The insider said that the organization wishes to distance itself from the actor to protect its reputation and stay out of further legal trouble.

After supporting Masterson during his ordeal, Phillips filed for divorce in September 2023, barely over two weeks after learning of his court-appointed demise.

Internet reacts to Bijou Phillips' exit from Scientology 

Social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their opinions over Bijou Phillips' reported exit from the Church, with one exclaiming, "Ohh nooo ex communicated by the church of Scientology?!! Gasp… how would someone even survive?"

A second one asked, "How did she get out of that billion year contract? Her lawyers must be amazing."

Another Internet user wrote on Facebook, "Congratulations Bijou! Best thing she could have done for herself and her daughter was to leave Scientology. I wish her the best."

"Good for her," wrote another one.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.