Ashley Darby has been dragging out her divorce from Michael Darby. The Bravolebrity announced her split from the Australian businessman in April 2022. The former couple were married for eight years and shared sons Dean, 5, and Dylan, 3.
Ashley’s been open and honest about it with her co-stars on The Real Housewives of Potomac. Finances were a major issue. The GnA co-founder purchased a home, and understandably, wanted to make sure that the situation was stable. But were there more reasons for her to delay?
Ashley Darby couldn’t adhere to “a timestamp”
Ashley shared details about the “depression” that she struggled with after separating from Michael. The RHOP star told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea that by delaying decisive action, she was tending to her mental health.
“It’s hard out here, OK? I wish that I could put a time stamp on it that everyone wants me to in relation to this divorce. It is so emotional for me. It’s a point of grieving,” Ashley explained.
“I even went through a little bit of a depression of, like, thinking about where my life is now versus where I thought it was going to be and coming to terms with that,” she continued.
Ashley couldn’t bring herself to adhere to the emotional timeline suggested by those wanting her to move on quickly. After two years, the RHOP star signed divorce papers in June 2024.
“As much as I wanted to just be a bad bitch and be like, ‘Yeah!’ — in actuality, it was still really hurting me,” she said during the interview.
Ashley teased a “very big step” in her life
It seems that patience paid off. Ashley revealed she is “in a much better place” than when she and Michael first separated. That’s due to a “very big step” that the RHOP star took recently.
“I will say that now, I’m in a much better place,” Ashley shared. “I did something very big actually this [month], I can’t quite share with you yet, but it was a very big step that I took this week, I shed a tear or two, but I’m feeling good otherwise.”
The entrepreneur credited her support system of “therapist” and “friends.” In particular, Ashley’s bestie Cory knew exactly how to lift her spirits.
“My friend Cory, for example, he has this sixth sense and knows when I’m in a down-in-the-dumps place,” she shared. “He calls me, takes me out, makes me get dressed up and look pretty and flirt with some boys. And that always makes me feel better.”
Ashley is actively dating. She was previously linked to Summer House alum Luke Gulbranson. She also filmed a dating show for Peacock alongside RHOP co-star Gizelle Bryant. A premiere date has not been confirmed.
Catch The Real Housewives of Potomac Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO ASHLEY SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS HER BIG MOVE? WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR HER NOW?
