@Tweetskoor Published Feb. 28, 2026, 10:44 a.m. ET Where to Stream: Almost Famous Powered by Reelgood More On: celebrities Jim Carrey Gives Shoutout to ‘Sublime Companion’ Min Ah in French-Language Speech at César Awards Hilary Duff Opens Up About Estrangement From Sister Haylie in New Song “We Don’t Talk” Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi Reveals Stage 1 Cervical Cancer Diagnosis, Urges Fans To “Get Your Appointments Done” Hudson Williams Appears to Confirm Romance as ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Shares Valentine’s Day Tribute After a decade away from sit-down interviews, Bijou Phillips is opening up about the life-threatening kidney condition that has left her urgently in need of a transplant.
Speaking with Us Weekly, Phillips — who was born with underdeveloped kidneys — shared that she feels “pretty good” physically since starting dialysis and remains emotionally “strong.”
“I’ve been through a lot in my life, and I don’t know if I would change anything. I’m a pretty happy-go-lucky person, and I usually look at the bright side of things. It takes a lot to make me lose my way or feel sad,” she said, while acknowledging the reality of her situation: “I’ve needed a transplant for a year. I’m sort of hanging on by a thread.”
Phillips, who largely avoided public interviews even during the high-profile trial of her ex-husband Danny Masterson, said the risks of dialysis remain front of mind.
“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. I’m really hopeful, [but] it’s an extremely urgent situation.”
She described publicly asking for donors as “terrifying,” crediting loved ones — including boyfriend Jamie Mazur and friends Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, and Kimberly Stewart — with pushing her to share her story.
“Dialysis is not a cure. It’s not something that is going to help you live a real life. You really do need to get a kidney transplant,” she explained, noting that more than 1,000 people have already come forward to be tested.
For Phillips, the fight is ultimately about her 12-year-old daughter. “I want to be here for her, and I have to be here for her. The fight is back. That had been gone for a long time. I’m it. I’m all she’s got,” she said, adding proudly, “She’s the strongest little human… She’s brilliant… and I’m just so proud to be her mother.”
