Ashley Darbyan OG star on True Housewives of Potomacis clapping back to quash accusations that she — along with some of her co-stars — are blacks.
The reality TV personality responded to the claims via a short video posted to her Instagram Story on Monday night, just about a day after a new episode of RHOP aired on Bravo.
“First and foremost, I’m not a colorist,” she declares in the clip. “I feel like people forget that I’ve ever had a problem or a disagreement with every woman on the show, for whatever reason, for anything that we don’t agree on, at any point in time. that — whatever the color of her skin is.”
Ashley says she’s no expert on color and has had issues with every woman on the show regardless of their skin color. #RHOP pic.twitter.com/DyvzbgtrRb
– jay (@JaysRealityBlog) November 15, 2022
Is It The Housewives’ Standard Beef Or A Loaded Message?
Ashley’s video is in response to the backlash that came after Season 7, Episode 6 of RHOP aired.
In this episode, the Potomac ladies go to Miami, Florida for a show tour. While there, Darby took the opportunity to prank Candiace Dillard Bassett by hosting her and Wendy Osefo—two dark-skinned black women—to share a small bed.
#RHOP Preview: The ladies are on stage and Ashley is playing a shady prank on Candiace 🤭 pic.twitter.com/kuQw6naDmk
– Queen Bravo (@queensofbravo) November 11, 2022
We should add that Ashley’s antics also came about after she and Candiace went head-to-head at a winery, and Robyn Dixon, the self-proclaimed “Blue-Eyed Bandit” incited her, because she had issues with Wendy over some unrelated plays.
Housewives’ Twitter is clearly divided on this topic
Many viewers interpreted this to be because light-skinned women teamed up to look down on darker-skinned Black women. However, others feel as if this is a reach.
#RHOP is not never to beat the accusations of colorism !!! Smmfh https://t.co/4z0ofdUsqg
—Ken. (@OmgKenActually) November 11, 2022
I have to take a break #RHOP twitter bc you are all trying to reduce colorism. Ashley has enjoyed beef with almost everyone in the cast from Katie to Karen but since her beef is now with dark-skinned women, is she of color? Come on try.
– Astrothot🛸 (@s4dshawty) November 14, 2022
It’s not surprising to me that Gizelle, Robyn and Ashley are working together to get rid of Wendy and Candiace… chromism is the 8th housewife here and it’s clear as day😒😒😒! #rhop pic.twitter.com/gYKVsZn6b5
— Mihrimah | FS | Xanaxyra Targaryen🪬🤲 (@Mihrimah_FS) November 14, 2022
I knew we were going to have a thesis on this and I was exhausted. #RHOP https://t.co/iGXLuHfrgW
– Chris D. (@cdiggi1) November 11, 2022
If you stop being Colorist we won’t have to talk about it anymore. Very simple! #RHOP pic.twitter.com/uoIqno2xQ6
– YT: BeeSting💫 (@BeeStingah) November 13, 2022
As for Ashley’s attempt to quash these accusations of color discrimination, people don’t seem too emotional.
Lol I really wish I could explain this to Ashley and I’m pretty sure she’ll understand. It’s not skin color if you beef with dark-skinned girls, it’s a petty performance. It’s colorism when you’re just being mean to women of color for the same behavior. It’s colorism when the model is light and dark skin https://t.co/vLhUYvtnBD
– Amazing girl (@Tea_witdre) November 15, 2022
Yes, Ashley has had issues with everyone on #RHOP because she’s a messy whore but the way she does or doesn’t give people tickets based on their complexion says a lot. Maintain mostly latent and subconscious colorism https://t.co/Fskp0HegoL
— Venus in the Trench of Virgo (@_Laur92) November 15, 2022
Did Ashley fall in love with every woman on the show? Right.
Is there a problem with the colorism in the show? Also have.
Two things can be true at the same time. #RHOP https://t.co/jzLdJju8CM
– Tracks by CAPRICORN (@Btchnotme) November 15, 2022
Colorism is not simply about who argues with whom. Saying that Ashley argued with light-skinned women is also not the defense with a smoking gun you think it is. #RHOP https://t.co/tlN9Eqorjp
– Queen (@RhopQueen) November 15, 2022
Allegations of skin colorism on RHOP are nothing new
Notably, allegations of skin colorism are present on RHOP Actor is something that goes back quite a while. Candiace in particular has been vocal about this on Twitter.
I’m also excited to see what acrobatics (brown paper bags) are used to defend certain reprehensible behavior by certain groups of viewers.
– CANDIACE (@ThealCANDIACE) September 6, 2022
This topic has also appeared in many RHOP reunion specials, including last year’s season 6 reunion.
After the matter was brought up, Ashley candidly stated that she doesn’t believe that blackism exists on the show.
“I don’t feel any accusations of color discrimination exist in this group,” she said, although Candiace and Wendy disagree.
your thoughts about RHOP conversation colorism?
