Bijou Phillips was seen looking 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’.
The actress, 43, wore a light pink long-sleeve top and denim shorts, as she grabbed groceries from a store in Santa Ynez, California.
The former socialite kept it casual in a pair of grey Birkenstock sandals, and accessorized with a black shoulder bag.
Phillips appeared to go makeup-free for the grocery run, where she was joined by a friend.
The outing comes after Masterson, 47, was expelled from the Church of Scientology following his rape conviction that earned him 30 years in prison – which requires the That ’70s Show star’s family and friends to sever all communication with him.
Grocery run: Bijou Phillips was seen looking 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’
Stepping out: The actress, 43, wore a light pink long-sleeve top and denim shorts, as she grabbed groceries from a store in Santa Ynez, California
Casual: The former socialite was pictured pushing her cart, which had a number of brown grocery bags inside
Bijou wore her dark blonde tresses parted on the side and cascading down her shoulders in curls.
On her way out of the store she was pictured enjoying a few chips from a bag.
Her ex husband has been declared a ‘suppressive person’ – or ‘SP’ – which the Church of Scientology defines as someone whose behavior seeks to impede the spiritual progress of those around him.
The label means fellow Scientologists, including his wife Bijou and his family, will be required to cut all ties with the convicted rapist.
But even with the expulsion, the church maintains 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 the alleged wrongdoings of the church since 2014.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Augustine, a former Scientologist himself, explained the reasons behind the radical decision to cut ties with a member they publicly supported during two lengthy criminal trials.
Augustine, 66, said the Church of Scientology had not planned to go public with the news and are still telling members Masterson is innocent and that former Scientologist Leah Remini conspired with other revengeful former members to disparage him.
Casual: The former socialite kept it casual in a pair of grey Birkenstock sandals, and accessorized with a black shoulder bag
Snack: On her way out of the store she was pictured enjoying a few chips from a bag
Barefaced: Phillips appeared to go makeup-free for the grocery run
Errand run: Bijou wore her dark blonde tresses parted on the side and cascading down her shoulders in curls
‘Suppressive person’: Her ex husband has been declared a ‘suppressive person’ – or ‘SP’ – which the Church of Scientology defines as someone whose behavior seeks to impede the spiritual progress of those around him
Cutting all ties: The label means fellow Scientologists, including his wife Bijou and his family, will be required to cut all ties with the convicted rapist
Lengthy marriage: Bijou and Masterson have been married since 2011
Exit: She was seen exiting her white vehicle
Interesting: But even with the expulsion, the church maintains that Masterson is innocent of all charges, according to insiders
Denying charges: ‘They are telling Scientologists that he will file an appeal and that he is innocent of the charges for which he was convicted,’ a former Scientologist himself and private investigator Jeffrey Augustine revealed on Tuesday
Other reasons: ‘They (church officials) declared Danny a suppressive person for not maintaining the high ethical standards for the Church of Scientology, and other reasons – but not because he was convicted of rape,’ Augustine added
With a pal: The star was joined by a friend on the outing
Farewell: The ladies said their goodbyes as they parted ways
‘According to my sources, Danny has been declared a suppressive person, which means he would be expelled from Scientology,’ Augustine said.
‘They are telling Scientologists that he will file an appeal and that he is innocent of the charges for which he was convicted.
‘They (church officials) declared Danny a suppressive person for not maintaining the high ethical standards for the Church of Scientology, and other reasons – but not because he was convicted of rape,’ Augustine added.
Masterson was convicted of two counts of rape in May. He was given his long prison sentence in September. A third rape charge ended with a hung jury. An earlier trial saw jurors deadlocked.
Augustine spoke out while attending a protest held in front of the Church of Scientology 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 accuser whose case ended without a guilty verdict attended Saturday’s protest along with one of the women whose evidence convicted the star of That ’70s Show.
When asked about Masterson being declared suppressive, Bixler told DailyMail.com: ‘They should have declared him an SP when I originally went to them.’
Bixler and the other two women he was convicted of raping are suing the convicted rapist in a separate civil suit, another possible reason for his expulsion.
Augustine said: ‘A lot of Scientologists were complaining that they have friends and family members that they can’t talk to because they were declared suppressive. They questioned why Danny Masterson was allowed to be a Scientologist in good standing when he’s brought such a horrible public relations situation on to the church with his felony rape convictions.
Expelled: Masterson, 47, was expelled from the Church of Scientology following his rape conviction that earned him 30 years in prison; the couple are seen on May 16 in Los Angeles
‘So the members are asking why were their friends and family declared for reading the internet, watching Leah Remini’s show, and doing other things that are far below what Masterson was charged with?’
Augustine said he was not surprised with the decision to put Masterson behind them because the church’s controversial leader David Miscavige has to save face.
‘Miscavige has the International Association of Scientologists event coming up in London. It’s the first post-pandemic big multimillion dollar fundraiser.
‘I think Miscavige is clearing the decks ahead of the IAS in London so he’s not asked about Masterson. In other words, he wants it handled. He doesn’t want Danny Masterson to be the focus.
‘They are not going to make a public announcement. They are going to tell everyone at this big, posh London event don’t talk about it, don’t mention Danny. He has now become a person whose name must not be mentioned.’
‘They are still maintaining his innocence, saying he will appeal and that’s not why he’s been declared, but this is not to be talked about by anyone,’ he said.
The Church of Scientology did not immediately respond to a request for comment.