Ashley Darby (; June 8, 1988) is an American television personality and singer. She gained notability after winning

Miss District of Columbia Miss (pronounced ) is an English language honorific typically used for a girl, for an unmarried woman (when not using another title such as "Doctor" or "Dame"), or for a married woman retaining her maiden name. Originating in the 17th century, it ...

in 2011 and has been a main cast member of ''

The Real Housewives of Potomac ''The Real Housewives of Potomac'' (abbreviated ''RHOP'') is an American reality television series that premiered on January 17, 2016, on Bravo. It has aired six seasons and focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women living ...

'' since the show's inception in January 2016.

Early life and education

Darby was raised by her single mother, Sheila Matthews, in

Sandy Spring, Maryland Sandy Spring is an Unincorporated area, unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. Geography Sandy Spring's boundaries are roughly defined as Brooke Road and Dr. Bird Road to the north ...

. She has two younger half-siblings: musician/entrepreneur, Zach Smith, and high school student, Jessica. As a teenager she often worked to help provide additional income for the family. Following high school graduation, Darby attended

The University of Maryland The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the Flagship un ...

and earned a degree in communications.

Career

Darby has been a cast member of ''

'' since the show's creation. Her first seasons focused greatly on her desire to have a child and efforts to successfully run the Australian-themed restaurant owned by herself and her husband, Oz. The restaurant floundered for nearly 4 years until its closure in June 2019. In 2018, Darby released a single titled ''Coffee and Love'' which was produced by her brother. Prior to joining the show, Darby worked as a bartender at one of her future husband's restaurants. In 2011, she was crowned

and went on to represent the District of Columbia in the

Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 17 and 25. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is now judged on competitors' talent performances and interviews. As ...

competition.

Personal life

Ashley Darby married Australian restaurateur and largescale realtor Michael Darby in May 2014. She had her first son, Dean Michael Darby, on July 7, 2019. Darby was very public about her

postpartum depression Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth, which can affect both sexes. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying episodes, irritability, and chan ...

following her son's birth and shared she was experiencing "postpartum blues" within the first month. Her second son, Dylan Matthew Darby, was born March 2021. The Darbys announced in April 2022 that they would be separating after almost 8 years of marriage.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Darby, Ashley Participants in American reality television series 1988 births Living people African-American women singers African-American television personalities People from Potomac, Maryland People from Silver Spring, Maryland