Ashley Darby (née Boalch) (born June 8, 1988) is an American television personality and singer. She gained notability after winning Miss District of Columbia in 2011 and has been a main cast member of The Real Housewives of Potomac since the show's inception in January 2016.[1][2]
Ashley Darby | |
|---|---|
 Darby at WWHL in 2021 | |
| Born | Ashley Boalch June 8, 1988 Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S. |
| Education | The University of Maryland (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse |
Michael J. Darby
(m. 2014; sep. 2022) |
| Children | 2 |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | |
| Major competition(s) | Miss District of Columbia 2011 (Winner) Miss America 2012 (Unplaced) |
Early life and education
editDarby was raised by her single mother, Sheila Matthews, in Silver Spring, Maryland. She has two younger half-siblings: musician/entrepreneur Zach Smith and sister Jessica.[3] As a teenager, she often worked to help provide additional income for the family. Following high school graduation, Darby attended University of Maryland College Park and earned a degree in communications.[4][5]
Career
editSince the show's creation, Darby has been a cast member of The Real Housewives of Potomac. Her first seasons focused extensively on her desire to have a child and efforts to successfully run the Australian-themed restaurant, Oz, owned by herself and her husband. The restaurant floundered for nearly four years until its closure in June 2019.[2][6][7]
In 2018, Darby released a single titled Coffee and Love produced by her brother.[8]
Before joining the show, Darby worked as a bartender at one of her future husband's restaurants. In 2011, she was crowned Miss District of Columbia and went on to represent the District of Columbia in the Miss America competition.[5][9]
Personal life
editAshley Darby married Australian restaurateur and largescale realtor Michael Darby in May 2014.[10][11][12][1]
She had her first son, Dean Michael Darby, on July 7, 2019.[13] Darby was very public about her postpartum depression following her son's birth and shared she was experiencing "postpartum blues" within the first month.[14][15]
Her second son, Dylan Matthew Darby, was born in March 2021.[16]
The Darbys announced in April 2022 that they would be separating after almost eight years of marriage.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b O'Connell, Jonathan (2016-02-18). "Michael and Ashley Darby's plan for surviving 'Real Housewives'? To have fun". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ a b "Ashley Darby Says Her Age Difference with Her Husband Has Contributed to Her Restaurant Drama". Bravo TV Official Site. 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ Raphael, Shannon (2021-10-29). "'RHOP' Star Ashley Darby Shares a Close Bond with Her Mom, Sheila Matthews". Distractify. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ "Ashley Darby". Bravo TV Official Site. 2015-11-11. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ a b "Where Are They Now?". Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Organization. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ Plumb, Tierney (2019-06-25). "'Real Housewives' Couple Is Closing Oz Australian Restaurant in Clarendon". Eater DC. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ Heil, Emily (June 26, 2019). "'Real Housewives' stars Ashley and Michael Darby are closing their Virginia restaurant". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ America, Good Morning. "'Real Housewives' Ashley Darby releases hilariously cute song 'Coffee and Love'". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ Source, The Reliable (2011-07-17). "Miss D.C., Maryland and Virginia vie for Miss America crown — and big scholarship money". Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
- ^ "Ashley & Michael Darby From 'Real Housewives Of Potomac' Had A Beautiful Wedding Day — PHOTOS". Bustle. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ "Michael J. Darby | Monument Realty". www.monumentrealty.com. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ O'Connell, Jonathan (2011-01-27). "Former real estate giant Monument Realty is working on a comeback". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ "Meet 'RHOP' Star Ashley Darby's 'Cutie' Son, Dean Michael: 'I'm Overwhelmingly Happy'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ "Ashley Darby Reveals She Experienced Her 'First Bout of Postpartum Blues' Since Welcoming Son Dean". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ "Ashley Darby Reveals She Experienced Her 'First Bout of Postpartum Blues' Since Welcoming Son Dean". ca.news.yahoo.com. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "Ashley Darby Just Shared Even More "Magic" Photos of Baby Dylan". Bravo TV Official Site. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ "'RHOP' 's Ashley Darby Announces Separation from Husband Michael: 'No One Is the Root Cause'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-11-07.