As one of the three remaining OGs of The Real Housewives Of Potomac, Ashley Darby is used to the spotlight. However, Season 9 marks a new chapter for the reality TV star, mom, and entrepreneur. “When I started the show, I was one year into my marriage,” said Darby. “Now I’m going to start dating again.” While Darby isn’t officially divorced yet, she already is looking to dive back into the dating pool, which fans will get to see on the Bravo series. “I’m always going to be looking for my life partner,” said Darby.
When she has a spare moment from being amazing mother or getting her music career back on track (a revamped “Healing and Thriving” is coming soon!), Darby is planning the next move for the athleisure line GnA that she has created with co-star Gizelle Bryant. “You’ll see how GnA evolves into its new phase and how er move on to our next venture very soon,” teased Darby. With the exit of Bryant’s bestie Robyn Dixon last season, Darby and Bryant have grown only closer. According to Darby, their passion project “helped our friendship get even deeper.” “She’s my number one wing woman,” gushed Darby.
While her relationship with Bryant is more solid that ever, Darby didn’t hesitate to question cast mate Karen Huger after she was arrested and cited for a DUI (for the second time) and other traffic violations. “I hope she is taking some inventory about what her needs are,” said Darby earnestly. Despite their past squabbles, Darby wants only the best for the Grande Dame of Potomac. Darby shrewdly observes: “If Karen does need help or if she needs someone to talk to, she should utilize her support system instead of turning to the bottle.”
Darby also isn’t shy about expressing her issues with co-star Mia Thornton. “As the season went on, I saw a side of Mia that I never thought I’d see,” said Darby. Noting that she has been “ride or die for Mia since day one,” Darby shared that she was disappointed in some of Thornton’s behavior this season. Darby went on: “She made some moves that made me question who she is as a person.” Hopefully, Darby and Thornton will be able to resolve their issues at the show’s upcoming reunion.
Darby stopped by the Decider studio to talk about the season, going toe-to-toe with Huger, and to tease about Peacock’s upcoming Love Hotel.
DECIDER: Your tagline for the season is “From kiddie pools to the dating pool, I’m ready to dive in.” Are we going to be seeing more of both pools this season?
ASHLEY DARBY: I love to share about my motherhood journey, but yes, I may be dipping a toe or fully submerging into the dating pool this season too. It’s very interesting because I haven’t really done that before. When I started the show, I was one year into my marriage. Now I’m going to start dating. That’s so different and a little scary for me.
And how are your boys?
My sons are fantastic. Dean is five and Dylan is three. Right now, the challenge is learning how to ride a two Wheeler bike. Dean and I are practicing the tricycle trick where you put a towel under the kid’s arms and you walk behind them, balancing them. It’s been interesting, and we are having a very good time.
Now that we’ve got the family update, let’s get into some of the drama of the season. Karen is going through it this season! What do you think she has learned from this experience, if anything?
Well, I would have hoped that Karen had learned to control herself the first time around. This second time I hope she is really taking some inventory about what her needs are. Karen is from a generation of people who hold things in and don’t necessarily feel comfortable asking for help. I hope that if Karen does need help or if she needs someone to talk to, she will utilize her support system instead of turning to the bottle.
You might have shaded Karen a little bit with those Uber gift cards, but she came for your feet! What’s it like to go toe-to-toe with the Grande Dame?
Toe to toe, I see what you did there [laughs]. Number one, those Uber gift cards were not shady. They were a very good gift. If she didn’t like them, she could’ve very kindly slid them back over this way so that I could make very good use of them. Okay? Number two, those girls love to talk about my bunions. They’re obsessed with them. Everybody just loves talking about my feet. They get on these little Finstas and they’ll be like, “Ooh, Ashley, your bunions and your toes.” Karen’s probably the main one running the account!
I’m really excited to see the growth of GnA this season. What can you share about your plans for the brand?
GnA is a passion project that Gizelle and I started. Initially, we started with athleisure. We’ve been running GnA for a while now, and we are going back to the drawing board, hoping to morph into something more. We want to be involved in the community, so very soon you will see how GnA evolves and how our next venture comes about.
What has surprised you most about Gizelle as a business partner?
I always knew that Gizelle was a business woman. I thought that she might be difficult to collaborate with because sometimes she has set ideas. It’s her way or no way. However, since we have been working together, she has been very willing to collaborate and work together as a team. I really appreciate that about her. She takes my input as seriously as I take hers. That has helped our friendship get even deeper.
How glad are you that Gizelle and Dr. Wendy Osfeo squashed their beef?
I love seeing Gizelle and Wendy kiki-ing it up. They started out on good terms back at Monique’s lake house when Wendy had that meltdown because I brought my son with me. Gizelle had to talk some sense into Wendy, and that is when their relationship first started to evolve. The train did go off the tracks a little bit, but now things are getting better. It’s really nice to see them together because they have a lot in common. I love when we can all be together and have laughs because they are my drinking buddies. My crew is back together [laughs].
In addition to GnA expanding, your music career is also back on track. Can you talk about revamping your iconic bop “Healing and Thriving”?
I’m very excited about “Healing and Thriving.” I really love music, and I wanted to pursue a music career a few years ago.Then I decided that motherhood was where I wanted to put my attention rather than trying to balance both of those things. I thought “Healing and Thriving” was just an upbeat song, but a couple people suggested that I make it into an EDM. So I went back into the studio, put a little oomph in it, and now it is a fist banger.
I thought you and Keiarna were fine, but then breakfast at Lake Norman happened. Were you two able to move past that? Where do you stand today?
There was an elephant in the room with Keiarna and me. I thought that we were in a good place, but we were really just tiptoeing around each other. Finally, we had to acknowledge the incident that happened last year, which I still feel absolutely terrible about. I didn’t realize that Keiarna is still sensitive about it. I understand now. When I mentioned her scar, I really wanted to hype her skin care line because her forehead looked so good. That’s what I was trying to get across, but it didn’t land that way. I will say that our relationship continues to evolve in a very interesting way.
Out of the two newbies—Stacey Rusch and Jassi Rideaux—and two familiar faces—Jacqueline Blake and Keiarna—who has the most staying power and why?
I would say it’s a tie between Keiarna and Stacey for staying power. They both have strong relationships within the group. Keiarna and Wendy have been friends for a long time, as have Stacey and Karen. Their pre-established relationships will give them a little bit more longevity. Stacy is a quick learner as well.
You recently said that Mia will have the most to answer for at reunion. Can you explain why?
As the season went on, I saw a side of Mia that I never thought I’d see. I’ve been ride or die for Mia since day one, even when she couldn’t remember how old she is among other things. I still supported her. She made some moves recently though that made me question who she is as a person. Once someone makes me question their integrity, it’s hard for me to get back to a good place.
Speaking of someone always in a good place in fans’ hearts, did you miss Robyn Dixon this season?
I miss Robyn so much. She brings a calm to the group when things are chaotic and everybody is trying to talk the loudest. Robyn was the voice of reason, and I miss the common sense element she brought to the group. However, she is doing really well. Her MedSpa just opened . I haven’t had a chance to get there yet, but it’s definitely on my list. She seems to be happy.
Would you want to see her back on RHOP sometime soon?
It is my hope, my desire, and my request that Robyn Dixon make her way back to The Real Housewives of Potomac ASAP.
All Bravo fans are so excited for Love Hotel! What appealed to you about going on a dating show with some of your fellow housewives?
I can’t really speak about it at the moment, but I can say that I love love. I am a lover girl. As Andy Cohen says, Valentine’s Day is Ashley Derby Day [laughs]. I’m always going to be looking for my life partner in a healthy, mature way. I’ll get there, by golly.
Gizelle told us she probably would not have done the show without you. Was the feeling mutual?
She was a very strong reason why I decided to participate. She’s my number one wing woman. She goes out with me and has helped me get back into the dating game. She’s got some swag.
Pulling it back to RHOP, what can you tease about the rest of the season?
Gosh, there is still so much more to see. In the upcoming episodes, our relationships evolve and, unfortunately, deteriorate in some cases. It’s an emotional roller coaster that I’m still recovering from.
New episodes of The Real Housewives Of Potomac air Sunday nights at 8/7c on Bravo
