The Real Housewives of Potomac star Ashley Darby has admitted that the reality show contributed to the breakdown of her marriage with Michael Darby.
The mum-of-two, 34, announced her split from the 63-year-old in April, after being married for eight years.
It was a decision that may not have come as a surprise to fans of the show, who have watched Michael’s antics – including infidelity, leaked photos and bum-grabbing accusations – cause major drama for Ashley.
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Now, speaking exclusively to Daily Star, Ashley admitted that the drama Michael brought did contribute to their split, but teased there was more to it which fans will see.
The reality starlet told us: “I did some inventory recently and thought about where things have been tumultuous.
“It’s funny because in my friendships I can hold my own so well, I know what I want to say and what I expect from my friends, but when it comes to my interpersonal relationships, my marriage in this case, I care so much about the other person’s feelings that I get wrapped up.”
She went on: “How Michael felt about how he was portrayed or how he thinks he was portrayed, what was shown about him, I did sort of take on his emotions.
“I think that impacted us ultimately because it’s not like we can have an incidence, like his infidelity, where we can have that and move on, there’s this beautiful thing called the internet now, so we relive it a lot and that did take a toll on our relationship.
“It wasn’t the end all, but it does take a toll.”
Luckily, being on the show, which started its seventh season this month, means Ashley has a close support network of co-stars – Gizelle Bryant, Robyn Dixon, Karen Huger, Candiace Dillard Bassett, Wendy Osefo and Mia Thornton.
Ashley told us: “It’s a lot, I know that’s a general thing to say but it’s so emotional.
“I’m an emotional person, sometimes I think I’m too sensitive, so to be on a platform where I’m opening myself and my marriage, my union, to so much scrutiny, considering now I have children, there are so many moving parts that are affecting this process.
“Deciding to separate from Michael happened pretty early on in filming, about a month before we started filming.”
She admitted: “I almost didn’t do the show just because I felt like I needed to give space to myself and Michael, but there was so much positive encouragement from the girls, Gizelle in particular, like this is my life and how therapeutic it would be to share – it would be hard, it would be challenging, just like it was after my postpartum depression.
“It really does help me to talk and share and have that support from the girls, because they are very supportive… for the most part.”
Stream the brand-new season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, Mondays on Hayu, same day as the US
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk