Bijou Phillips facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bijou Phillips
Phillips in March 2005
Born	Bijou Lilly Phillips (1980-04-01) April 1, 1980 (age 45) Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupation	Actress model socialite singer
Years active	1994–2013
Spouse(s)	Danny Masterson ​ ​ (m. 2011; separated 2023)​
Children	1
Parent(s)	John Phillips Geneviève Waïte
Relatives	Mackenzie Phillips (half-sister) Chynna Phillips (half-sister)

Bijou Lilly Phillips (born April 1, 1980) is an American model, socialite, and former actress and singer. She is the daughter of famous musicians John Phillips and Geneviève Waïte. Bijou started her career as a model.

She later released a music album called I'd Rather Eat Glass in 1999. Bijou Phillips has also appeared in many films. Some of her well-known movies include Black and White (1999), Almost Famous (2000), and Bully (2001). From 2010 to 2013, she had a repeating role on the TV show Raising Hope.

Early Life and Family

Bijou Phillips was born on April 1, 1980, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Her father, John Phillips, was a member of the famous music group the Mamas and the Papas. Her mother, Geneviève Waïte, was a model, artist, and actress from South Africa.

Bijou was named after the French word "bijou," which means 'jewel.' She is the youngest of her father's children. She has a brother named Tamerlane and three half-sisters: Mackenzie, Jeffrey, and Chynna.

When her parents separated, Bijou lived with a foster family in Bolton Landing, New York, for some time. She also spent time visiting her parents. When she was in third grade, her father gained custody, and she moved with him to Lloyd Harbor.

At age 14, Bijou Phillips left school and moved into her own apartment in New York City. She had a housekeeper to help her. During her teenage years, she became quite independent and was often seen at social events. She once said that living on her own in New York City at 14, with access to clubs and a car service, was a unique experience. She was sometimes mentioned in local newspapers for her active social life.

Career Highlights

Starting Out in Modeling and Music (1994–1999)

Bijou Phillips began her career early. She was on the cover of Interview magazine at 13 years old. Soon after, she appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia. She also became a model for Calvin Klein and was in several of their advertisements.

Bijou later shared that she didn't enjoy modeling very much. She once said she would "rather eat glass" than go back to modeling.

At 17, she signed a record deal and started working on her first album. Her album, I'd Rather Eat Glass, was released on May 11, 1999. It is her only full music album so far. She worked with several artists to write songs for the album. Music critics had mixed opinions about the album. Some found it a bit young, but her music style was compared to artists like Natalie Imbruglia.

Bijou Phillips made her first small film appearance in Sugar Town (1999). Her first big movie role was in Black and White (1999). In this film, she played a girl from the Upper East Side trying to fit in with a hip-hop group. The movie also starred actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Elijah Wood.

Becoming a Film Actress (2000–2005)

In 2000, Bijou Phillips appeared in the movie Almost Famous with Kate Hudson. This film was very popular with critics and received several awards nominations.

In 2001, Phillips starred in two independent films. In Tart, she played the best friend of a young woman at a school in the 1980s. Critics noted her strong performance in the film.

She also starred in Bully, a film based on a true story. Her acting in this movie was praised, and The Hollywood Reporter named her one of 2002's "Shooting Stars of Tomorrow."

In 2003, Phillips was in the thriller Octane. In 2004, she played a nanny in The Door in the Floor, alongside Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger.

In 2005, Bijou Phillips starred with Anne Hathaway in the drama Havoc. She played a wealthy socialite. Critics said her performance was excellent. She also appeared in the horror film Venom that same year.

Roles in Horror and Independent Films (2006–2009)

In 2007, Phillips starred in the independent horror film The Wizard of Gore. She also worked with actress Lauren German in several movies. One of these was Hostel: Part II, a horror film where she played one of three American art students who get kidnapped.

Bijou Phillips played Lorna Doom, the bassist for the band Germs, in the biographical film What We Do Is Secret. She received good reviews for her role. In 2008, she appeared in a documentary about the Hotel Chelsea called Chelsea on the Rocks.

She also starred in the comedy Choke, based on a popular novel. In her last film of 2008, Dark Streets, Phillips played a singer in a 1930s New York City club.

In 2009, Phillips had leading roles in four independent films. Three of these were with actor Danny Masterson. She appeared in the romantic comedy Wake and the horror film It's Alive. She also reunited with Lauren German in the comedy Made for Each Other. Her final film of 2009 was the crime drama The Bridge to Nowhere.

Television Work and Break (2010–Present)

From 2010 to 2013, Bijou Phillips had a recurring role as Lucy Carlyle on the TV series Raising Hope. She appeared in seven episodes of the show.

In 2010 and 2012, she made guest appearances on the police TV shows Hawaii Five-0 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2011, she was in the music video for "Sweetest Kill" by Broken Social Scene.

Bijou Phillips has not acted since her last appearance on Raising Hope. She chose to focus on her family and her health.

Personal Life

Bijou Phillips dated musician Sean Lennon in the mid-2000s. His 2006 album Friendly Fire was inspired by their relationship.

In 2004, Phillips began dating actor Danny Masterson. They were married in October 2011. Both Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson are members of the Scientologist religion. On February 14, 2014, Phillips gave birth to their daughter. She also appeared with Masterson in an episode of Raising Hope in 2011.

In February 2017, it was shared that Phillips had been dealing with kidney disease for five years. She was born with small kidneys and needed a transplant. She received a kidney transplant in April 2017.

Bijou Phillips filed for divorce from Danny Masterson in September 2023.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Discography

Albums

• I'd Rather Eat Glass (1999)

Singles

Promotional singles

• "Hawaii" (1999)

See also

In Spanish: Bijou Phillips para niños