Photo: Santiago Felipe/Getty Images
<p><strong>Ashley Darby</strong>, an OG star on <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/rhops-juan-dixon-named-in-sexual-assault-lawsuit-against-coppin-state-university/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Real Housewives of Potomac</em></a>, is clapping back in an attempt to shut down allegations that she—along with some of her cast mates—are colorists.</p>
<p>The reality TV personality responded to the claims through a short video posted to her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashleyboalchdarby/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram Story</a> on Monday evening, just about a day after a new episode of <em>RHOP </em>aired on Bravo.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;First and foremost, I am not a colorist,&#8221; she declares in the clip. &#8220;I feel like people forget that I have had issues or disagreements with every single woman on the show, for whatever reason, for whatever thing that we disagreed upon, at some point in time—irrespective of the hue of her skin.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Was It Standard Housewives Beef, Or A Loaded Message?</h3>
<p>Ashley&#8217;s video is in response to backlash that came up after Season 7, Episode 6 of <em>RHOP</em> aired.</p>
<p>In this episode, the Potomac ladies head down to Miami, Florida, for a cast trip. While there, Darby takes the opportunity to play a little prank on Candiace Dillard Bassett by organizing for her and Wendy Osefo—two dark-skinned Black women—to share one small bed together.</p>
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<p>We should add that Ashley&#8217;s antics also come on the heels of her and Candiace going head-to-head at a winery, and self-proclaimed &#8220;Green-Eyed Bandit&#8221; Robyn Dixon eggs her on, as she has a bone to pick with Wendy over some unrelated drama.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Housewives Twitter Is Starkly Divided On The Subject</h3>
<p>Many viewers interpreted this as light-skinned women teaming up to belittle Black women with deeper skin tones. However, others felt as though this was a reach.</p>
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<p>As for Ashley&#8217;s attempt to shut down these colorism accusations, people didn&#8217;t appear to be too moved.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Colorism Accusations On RHOP Aren&#8217;t Anything New</h3>
<p>Notably, allegations of colorism being present on the <em>RHOP </em>cast is something that goes back quite some time. Candiace in particular has been vocal about this on Twitter.</p>
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<p>The subject has also come up at various <em>RHOP </em>reunion specials, including at the Season 6 reunion last year.</p>
<p>After the matter was brought up, Ashley straight-up declared that she didn&#8217;t believe that colorism existed on the show.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t feel as though colorism accusations exist in this group,&#8221; she shared, though Candiace and Wendy disagreed.</p></blockquote>
<p>What are your thoughts on the <em>RHOP </em>colorism conversation?</p>
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