Ashley Darby finally addressed the awkward moment that had Housewives fans talking for months. The Real Housewives of Potomac star admitted she wanted to clear the air with Kyle Richards after her flirtatious exchange with Mauricio Umansky sparked plenty of buzz.
The conversation apparently ended any lingering tension between the Bravo stars.
Ashley Darby cleared the air with Kyle Richards over her Mauricio Umansky flirtation
Darby revealed she and Kyle spoke face-to-face during the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th launch event. She said that conversation mattered far more than discussing the situation anywhere else.
“It was the elephant in the room between us, and it sort of had to be addressed,” Ashley told Us Weekly. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity to say it to her face-to-face.”
She explained that speaking in person felt important after earlier public comments. “Because it’s one thing to say it on Amazon Live or whatever, but to be able to talk face-to-face is so important,” Ashley continued. “And I think we did it,” she told the publication.
Fortunately, the conversation appeared to resolve everything. “We were vegans that night. There was no beef,” Ashley joked to the outlet.
The drama began earlier this year during RHOP Season 10. Mauricio unexpectedly crossed paths with Ashley and her castmates. During the brief interaction, Ashley reminded him he was now a single man.
Before that episode aired, Ashley had already hinted she enjoyed the encounter. “He’s a smooth cat,” she told Us Weekly in October 2025. “That guy is very smooth.”
Kyle later reacted during an Amazon Live after the episode aired. “If she was flirting, that’s weird,” she said. “I would never… be able to date anybody that any of the women, Housewives, dated or were married to.”
She also admitted she found the interaction embarrassing, although she hadn’t watched the full scene. Kyle added that RHOP star Gizelle Bryant had texted her beforehand to explain what happened. Even then, Kyle insisted everyone could make their own choices.
Mauricio and Kyle announced their separation in July 2023 after 27 years of marriage. They have not filed for divorce.
Fans can watch the women reunite when Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th premieres on Bravo on August 9 before streaming on Peacock the following day.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK ASHLEY DARBY AND KYLE RICHARDS HAVE TRULY MOVED PAST THE MAURICIO DRAMA?
