Bijou Phillips Makes Rare Public Appearance Amid Health Crisis
Actress Bijou Phillips, who recently revealed her precarious health situation and fears of imminent death, managed to enjoy a rare respite over the weekend with a public outing in Los Angeles. The 45-year-old was pictured holding hands with fashion entrepreneur boyfriend Jamie Mazur after visiting the iconic Chateau Marmont on Saturday, displaying affection despite her ongoing medical struggles.
Urgent Medical Situation
Phillips has been desperately searching for a kidney donor after a transplant she received in 2017 was rejected by her body. She is currently on dialysis treatment and has publicly stated that "time is of the essence" in her search for a living donor. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, she revealed the gravity of her situation, explaining that she could potentially be "gone in a few days" if she were to contract an infection through her dialysis line.
"I've been immunosuppressed for so long... I could make it on dialysis for a couple years, or I could get an infection in my line tomorrow and be gone in a few days," Phillips told the publication. "I'm really hopeful, [but] it's an extremely urgent situation."
Weekend Outing Details
During her Saturday outing, Phillips looked casual yet stylish in a black zip-up jacket featuring colorful red, white, and blue geometric designs on the front. She paired this with a black top, high-waisted acid wash jeans, and black boots, completing the ensemble with a luxurious black leather Hermès Birkin bag. Her long blond hair was parted down the middle and styled with cascading curls.
Mazur, co-founder of the vintage-inspired denim brand Re/Done, complemented her look with a weathered black leather biker jacket and black graphic T-shirt. He wore dark blue jeans, a dark woven leather belt, black leather boots, and sported a thick salt-and-pepper beard.
Relationship Timeline and Background
The couple were first linked in June 2024 when they were spotted walking through New York City's Central Park. This came just months after Phillips filed to divorce her husband, That '70s Show star Danny Masterson, following his September 2023 conviction on two counts of rape and subsequent sentencing of 30 years to life in prison.
Mazur had previously been in a long-term relationship with Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio, with whom he shares two children. Their engagement ended in 2018 after nearly a decade together. A source told People magazine that Phillips and Mazur met through "mutual friends."
Lifelong Health Battle
Phillips has struggled with kidney issues since birth, having been born with underdeveloped kidneys that required dialysis during her first three months of life. At age 36, she received her first kidney transplant, which functioned for approximately five years before complications arose.
The actress has detailed how the BK virus led to both cellular and antibody rejection of her transplanted kidney. She is currently under the care of Dr. Anjay Rastogi at UCLA and has returned to dialysis treatment while awaiting another transplant.
Family History and Current Concerns
Phillips has expressed particular concern about her situation given her family medical history. Her father required a liver transplant when she was 10 years old, and later needed dialysis at UCLA when she was 20. He tragically died within three days of contracting an infection in his dialysis line due to his weakened immune system.
"For me, getting on dialysis at UCLA was terrifying," Phillips admitted, referencing her father's experience.
Public Appeals and Daily Life
Earlier this month, Phillips took to Instagram with an emotional plea for help, urging followers to share her message and consider becoming a living donor. She posted alongside baby photos of her 12-year-old daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, whom she shares with her estranged husband.
Despite her health challenges, Phillips maintains a semblance of normalcy in her daily routine. "Today I took my daughter to school, came home, had a little snack, went to dialysis, came home, and normally I would go do a couple things, grab her from school," she described of her typical day.
Religious Solace and Future Hopes
In the wake of her health ordeal, Phillips has found comfort in religious practices. "I've been praying a lot. I'm in a little group that prays the rosary in the morning, right after drop-off," she shared. "I'm going to try to do a traditional Lent, fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays."
A representative for Phillips clarified to Us Weekly that she was never a member of Scientology, noting that her sole connection to the Church was through her ex-husband Danny Masterson, who is a lifelong member.
Phillips remains hopeful about finding a donor, mentioning that her brother Aron Wilson has attempted to donate but wasn't a match. He may participate in a kidney exchange program, though he has been denied once already and plans to try again.
