Bijou Phillips looked tense on Tuesday as she was pictured for the first time since her estranged husband Danny Masterson was expelled from Scientology and declared a “suppressive person.”
The 43-year-old actress wore a light pink long-sleeved shirt and denim shorts as she picked up groceries at a store in Santa Ynez, California.
The former socialite wore a pair of gray Birkenstock sandals and a black shoulder bag.
Phillips appeared to be makeup-free for the grocery shopping trip, where she was accompanied by a friend.
The outing comes after Masterson, 47, was expelled from the Church of Scientology after being convicted of rape, which landed him 30 years in prison – leading to the family and friends of “That ’70s Show” -Stars had to cut off all communication with him.
Shopping spree: Bijou Phillips looked strained on Tuesday as she was pictured for the first time since her estranged husband Danny Masterson was expelled from Scientology and declared a “suppressive person.”
Exit: The 43-year-old actress wore a light pink long-sleeved top and denim shorts as she picked up groceries from a store in Santa Ynez, California
Casual: The former celebrity pushed her shopping cart, which contained a number of brown shopping bags
Bijou wore her dark blonde locks parted to the side and fell in curls over her shoulders.
She was pictured enjoying some chips from a bag on her way out of the store.
Her ex-husband – who has also given Bijou legal and physical custody of the couple’s nine-year-old daughter, Fianna – has been declared a “suppressive person” – or “SP” – which the Church of Scientology defines as someone whose behavior this aims to hinder the spiritual progress of those around him.
The designation means other Scientologists, including his wife Bijou and his family, must cut all ties with the convicted rapist.
But despite the expulsion, the church remains convinced that Masterson is innocent of all charges, according to insiders.
The shocking development was revealed by longtime private investigator Jeffrey Augustine on his website The Scientology Money Project, which has been dedicated to exposing alleged wrongdoings by the church since 2014.
In an exclusive interview with , Augustine, himself a former Scientologist, explained the reasons behind the radical decision to cut ties with a member they had publicly supported during two lengthy criminal trials.
Augustine, 66, said the Church of Scientology had not planned to go public with the news and was still telling members that Masterson was innocent and that former Scientologist Leah Remini conspired with other vengeful former members to kill him to be reduced.
Casual: The former celebrity wore gray Birkenstock sandals and a black shoulder bag
Snack: She was pictured enjoying some chips from a bag on her way out of the store
Outrageous: Phillips appeared to be without makeup while shopping
Errand Run: Bijou wore her dark blonde locks parted to the side and falling in curls over her shoulders
“Suppressive Person”: Your ex-husband has been declared a “suppressive person” – or “SP” – which the Church of Scientology defines as someone whose behavior is intended to impede the spiritual progress of those around him
Cut All Ties: The designation means that other Scientologists, including his wife Bijou and his family, must cut all ties with the convicted rapist
Long-lasting marriage: Bijou and Masterson have been married since 2011
Exit: She was seen exiting her white vehicle
Interesting: But despite the expulsion, according to insiders, the church remains convinced that Masterson is innocent of all allegations
Denial of charges: “They are telling the Scientologists that he will appeal and that he is innocent of the charges for which he was convicted,” former Scientologist and private investigator Jeffrey Augustine announced Tuesday
Other reasons: “They (church officials) declared Danny a suppressive person because he did not adhere to the high ethical standards of the Church of Scientology and for other reasons – but not because he was convicted of rape,” Augustine added
Mother of one: Masterson recently gave Phillips sole custody of the couple’s daughter, Fianna, 9
Divorce: Phillips filed for divorce from Masterson in September
“According to my sources, Danny was declared a suppressive person, meaning he would be expelled from Scientology,” Augustine said.
“They tell Scientologists that he will appeal and that he is innocent of the charges for which he was convicted.”
“They (church officials) declared Danny a suppressive person because he did not adhere to the high ethical standards of the Church of Scientology and for other reasons – but not because he was convicted of rape,” Augustine added.
Masterson was convicted of two counts of rape in May. He was sentenced to his long prison sentence in September. A third rape allegation ended in a jury verdict. In an earlier trial, the jury was deadlocked.
Augustine spoke out while attending a protest outside the Church of Scientology’s Celebrity Center in Hollywood on Saturday, where dozens of former members and alleged victims of sexual abuse spoke out against the injustices of the “cult.”
Chrissie Carnell Bixler, the prosecutor whose case ended without a guilty verdict, attended Saturday’s protest along with one of the women whose testimony condemned the That ’70s Show star.
Asked whether Masterson was deemed suppressive, Bixler told : “They should have declared him SP when I originally went to them.”
Bixler and the two other women he was convicted of raping are suing the convicted rapist in a separate civil lawsuit, another possible reason for his deportation.
Augustine said, “Many Scientologists complained that they have friends and family members with whom they cannot speak because they are viewed as oppressive.” They questioned why Danny Masterson was allowed to be a respected Scientologist when he had to contend with his serious convictions Rape brought such a terrible PR situation to the church.
“So members are wondering why their friends and family were reported for reading the Internet, watching the Leah Remini show, and doing other things far below what Masterson was charged with?”
With a friend: The star was accompanied by a friend on the outing
Farewell: The ladies said goodbye
Hugs: Bijou and her friend hugged each other
Augustine said he was not surprised by the decision to leave Masterson behind because the church’s controversial leader, David Miscavige, needed to save face.
“Miscavige is hosting the International Association of Scientologists event in London.” It is the first major multi-million dollar fundraising event since the pandemic.
“I think Miscavige is clearing the stage at the IAS in London, so he won’t be asked about Masterson.” In other words, he wants it handled. He doesn’t want Danny Masterson to be the center of attention.
“They will not make a public announcement. They’ll tell everyone at this big, posh event in London not to talk about it and not to mention Danny. He has now become a person whose name must not be mentioned.”
“They still maintain his innocence and say he will appeal and that is not the reason he was declared, but no one is allowed to talk about that,” he said.
The Church of Scientology did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Augustine, a licensed private investigator and longtime critic of the church, is married to former Scientologist Karen de la Carriere, one of the church’s highest-ranking members who worked with church founder L. Ron Hubbard. She left the church in 2010 after 35 years.
Two of the three women who accused Masterson of rape were among the protesters Saturday.
“The lawsuit is imminent and Scientology doesn’t want to be held accountable.” “They’ll say they have nothing to do with Masterson anymore,” Augustine said.
Masterson grew up in a family of practicing Scientologists. His stepfather, Joe Reaiche, and his mother, Carole Masterson, were members of the Sea Org, the “clergy” of the controversial faith.
Expelled: Masterson, 47, was expelled from the Church of Scientology after being convicted of rape that landed him 30 years in prison; The couple is seen in Los Angeles on May 16th
Reaiche himself was eventually labeled oppressive for questioning certain teachings and has had no contact with his children since.
Like his own father, who was kicked out of the church, Masterson may not even be aware that he has been declared a suppressive person and will find out when everyone cuts ties with him.
“I don’t think Bijou would ever want to visit him in prison. She was just awarded custody of her daughter.
“I personally believe that Bijou Phillips will leave the Church of Scientology, that is my prediction.” “It has brought her nothing but heartache, heartache and heartache,” Augustine added.