Early life
Phillips was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, and is the daughter of John Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas and his then-wife Geneviève Waïte, a South African model. She also is the half-sibling of Mackenzie Phillips, Jeffrey Phillips and Chynna Phillips. Her older brother is Tamerlane Phillips. The name "Bijou", which is French for "jewel," was taken from the song "My Petit Bijou" by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.
Phillips had a tumultuous childhood, and began modelling at an early age. She has appeared on Maxim ads, Stuff ads, and several Calvin Klein ads. She has also appeared on the cover of Vogue, Stuff, Interview, Playboy, People, Detour, and Nylon magazines.
Film career
In 1999, Phillips made a small appearance in the film Sugar Town as a girl wanting an autograph. That same year, Bijou was given a role in Black and White as Charlie. In 2000, she was given a role in the hit Almost Famous as Estrella Starr. In 2001, director Larry Clark, cast her in Bully, a film version of a true story about a brutal teenage murder in Florida in 1993.
Later that year, she had starring roles in Tart and Fast Sofa. She later starred in Octane, the critical hit The Door in the Floor, Pancho's Pizza, Havoc, and Venom. She also has many roles in upcoming films such as What We Both Do Is Secret, Dark Streets, The Wizard of Gore, You Are Here and Hostel: Part II.
Music career
At the age of 17, she was granted a record deal with Almos Records and ended her modeling career; her debut album was titled I'd Rather Eat Glass, a sentiment that expressed her feelings about her former profession. In 2005, Phillips continued to act while she recorded tracks for her second album.
Personal life
Controversy
By the age of 16 she was leading an adult life, living in her own apartment in Manhattan and subsisting on her modeling salary. During this time, she became a "wild child" of the New York City party scene, frequenting nightclubs such as Limelight and Spy Bar. Her half-sister, Mackenzie, was sometimes seen accompanying Bijou to various fashion shows, playing the role of surrogate parent. In 2000, she posed nude for Playboy and appeared on the cover of the April, 2000 issue. In June 2004, Phillips assaulted Playboy Playmate Nicole Marie Lenz in a Los Angeles nightclub. The fight was broken up by actor Matthew Perry, who later testified on Lenz's behalf. Phillips pleaded no contest to the criminal charges and Lenz has filed a civil suit. She was living in Palm Springs, Ca. at age 15.
Romantic links
Phillips has been linked with actor Elijah Wood (although Wood denied the rumors), singer Sean Lennon, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, director Larry Clark, and actor Danny Masterson from That '70s Show.
