She's a Maryland Native
Ashley, who was born and raised in Sandy Spring. Ashley stayed in the state to pursue her undergraduate degree in Communication at the University of Maryland.
But She Became Miss District of Columbia
She was crowned Miss District of Columbia in 2011 and then went on to compete in the 2012 Miss America pageant. Unfortunately, Ashley didn't take home the top prize, but she did come away with some scholarship money and the John Curran Non-Finalist Interview award.
And She Married an Aussie
Ashley may seem like an all-American girl, but she found love Down Under. She's married to Michael Darby, who is originally from Australia. Ashley and Michael first met when she interned at Monument Realty, the Washington, D.C.-based real estate firm that he is the principal and co-founder of. Michael proposed to Ashley in a helicopter over the Hudson during a trip to New York, after which they stopped at the city's iconic Tiffany & Co. where she got "the ring of my dreams," she told The Washington Post's Reliable Source after the couple got engaged in 2012. Despite the cultural and age differences (Michael is 29 years Ashley's senior), these two seem to be made for each other.
She's Already Been on Reality TV
After getting engaged to Michael, Ashley appeared on an episode of Say Yes to the Dress. She visited New York's Kleinfeld Bridal with her mother and friends to find the wedding dress of her dreams. Though Ashley didn't actually end up saying "yes" to a dress on the show.
She Wants to Start a Family
After marrying Michael, Ashley became a stepmother to his two children (a 21-year-old and a 24-year-old), who are not that much younger than she is. However, Ashley is considering starting her own family with Michael, according to her official RHOP bio.
She Already Has One Baby
Whether or not Ashley and Michael decide to expand upon their family, they've already got a little one to take care of: an adorable white maltipoo named Geronimo.
She's Making a Name for Herself
These days, Ashley is busy owning and operating a new restaurant she opened with her husband called Oz located in Arlington, Virginia. Oz is inspired by Michael's Australian heritage, delivering a modern take on the country's delicacies, such as skewers, pies, and sausage rolls. The restaurant has already gotten the seal of approval from Ashley's castmates.
Her Husband is a Boss
"Not every woman can marry a powerfully successful man because you can't deal with the life that comes with it," Karen says in the RHOP supertease, above. Since Karen has been married for 19 years to Raymond Huger, the president and CEO of the information technology company Paradigm Solutions International, it sure sounds like she can handle the pressure. Before taking on this powerful position, Raymond spent 25 years at IBM. He was also named one of the top entrepreneurs of 2005 by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine.
She's About to Be an Empty Nester
Karen's 27-year-old son Brandon has already moved out of the house, and her 17-year-old daughter Rayvin is about to do the same as she gets ready to head off to college.
She's a Country Girl at Heart
Before living the glamorous life in Potomac, Karen was learning the meaning of hard work while growing up on her family farm. Karen is originally from Spring Grove, Virginia, according to her Facebook profile.
She's a Social Butterfly
Karen's husband isn't the only one in the family who understands the importance of networking. This RHOP 'wife makes it her business to see and be seen around town, whether it's getting to know her fellow Washington, D.C.-area movers and shakers, supporting a charity, or having a night out on the town with her fellow RHOP 'wives.
She's a Party Animal
Karen is known in Potomac for going all out for her parties.
She's a Model
Katie is a working woman, and she sure knows how to work it in front of the camera, too. After growing up in Potomac, Katie moved to New York to pursue a career in modeling, and she has found success in this field for more than a decade. Katie has done everything from walking the runway for high fashion houses like Lanvin and Chanel to doing commercial work for major brands like Macy's, CoverGirl, and L'Oréal. These days, Katie has had a steady stream of work with QVC, modeling brands like H by Halston and the Nicole Richie Collection. And style isn't just a part of Katie's job; it's her life. Vogue asked Katie to join The Vogue 100 in 2009 to serve as an arbiter of style among other fashionable women from around the country.
And a TV Personality
RHOP won't be Katie's TV debut. She got her start as one of the hosts of BET's teen talk show Teen Summit before graduating from Boston University in 2001 with a degree in broadcast journalism, according to the bio on her official website. Katie then worked as a celebrity correspondent on Direct Access with Big Tigger, which covers entertainment news in the Washington, D.C. area. Through her segment, "Katie's Celebrity Hookup," Katie kept viewers up-to-date on the latest celeb news as well as rubbed elbows with the likes of John Legend, Swizz Beatz, and Selita Ebanks.
She's a Celeb Magnet
She has been seen out and about with plenty of famous faces recently, including Hollywood stars (Tracee Ellis Ross), musicians (Usher, Sean Lennon), and political pundits (Chris Matthews, James Carville).
She Dated a Celebrity
Katie was also once linked to hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. Even though they're not an item anymore, it looks like Katie and Russell have remained friends.
She Might Be on Her Way to the Altar Again
Katie first got married in 2012 to James Orsini, a doctor she met when the two were undergrads at Boston University. At first they were just friends, but they fell in love with each other after reconnecting many years post-graduation. That marriage was short-lived, and these days, Katie is in a serious relationship with boyfriend Andrew Martin, an investment executive. Andrew looks like he fits right in with Katie and her family, so it's possible the RHOP cast member could become a wife once again.
She Has Three Bundles of Joy
Katie had three children with her first husband: three-year-old James Rocco and 14-month-old twin daughters Kathryn and Renee.
You'll Be Jealous of Her Relationship with Her Mom
Being a single mom is tough, but it's a little easier when you have a strong support system, as Katie does from her mom Rynthia Rost. Not only do Katie and her mother seem to be incredibly close, but Rynthia is also an inspiration in her own right. Rynthia has served as the vice president of public affairs at Geico since 1994 and was honored as one of JW Magazine's "10 Women to Watch" in 2011.
Her Religion Is a Big Part of Her Life
Katie grew up Jewish, and she has been busy teaching her children some of the traditions of the religion as well.
She's Charitable
Somehow Katie and her mother found some spare time to establish the Ronald F. Rost Charitable Foundation in 2006. Katie and Rynthia still run the non-profit, which was founded in honor of Katie's father who passed away in 2000. The organization aims to help youth in the community through recreation, enrichment, and leadership activities. Katie has helped raise tons of money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Imagination Stage's children's theater, according to the bio on her website.
The Real Housewives of Potomac premieres on Sunday, January 17 at 9/8c on Bravo!
Source/Photo Credit: Bravo