How Ex Michael Thinks About Luke Gulbranson’s Affair

Ashley Darby reveals in this week’s episode of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast what her estranged husband, Michael Darby, feels about her burgeoning romance with Luke Gulbranson.

The ‘Real Housewives of the Potomac’ star, 34, says her 63-year-old ex didn’t pay much attention to her relationship with the ‘Summer House hunk’, 38.

However, that changed when a photo of the couple enjoying a date at a Capitals hockey game in Washington went viral on social media just a few weeks ago.

“So Michael saw Luke,” he explains, adding that the Australian businessman didn’t seem “too interested” in their potential as a couple – or in a sweet snap during a match.

“It’s probably not his phone wallpaper,” he notes.

Ashley’s intuition told her that this photo might ruffle a feather.

“Luke and I had a little conference and we asked, ‘Should we really take this picture? ”he recalls. “Because we’re both a little private, you know? So he said, “Should we?” And I was like, “Eh, why not?” So we took a picture.”

Despite Michael’s reaction, Ashley asserts that he is “living his best life” at the moment.

“Let’s be honest, he’s an attractive man,” she says. “I know he’s a little older, but he still has his personality, his business is thriving. So Michael, even though it’s a difficult time for him too, he told me, he’s doing his thing, he’s floating like a butterfly.”

At the behest of Andy Cohen’s Bravo honcho, Ashley began researching a connection to Gulbranson at BravoCon 2022 last month in New York City.

The “Coffee & Love” singer tells Page Six she knew the entrepreneur was “special” when they met at the three-day Bravo After Dark event to watch Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras perform live.

“We watched Tom perform on stage and it was so good. We were both really absorbed in the music. I was with who I was supposed to be [with] at this concert. It was a really surreal feeling,” she says of their evening with the soundtrack played by the Vanderpump Rules star’s cover band.

“We just vibrated and sang together,” Ashley explains. “And then I thought, ‘OK, this is more than I thought it would be.’

The mum-of-two – who has sons Dean, 3, and Dylan, 1, with Michael – notes that her relationship with Gulbranson is “still fresh” after only a month of long-distance dating. (She lives in Virginia, while Gulbranson divides his time between New York and Minnesota.)

“I really want to get to know him first and we really are friends. When I tell you we’re making friends, I’m not even exaggerating,” she says.

Ashley also points out that it’s “nice” to be with someone who can relate to the experience of being Bravolebrity.

“Honestly, it’s kind of refreshing for me too, to be in touch with someone who also – you know, being in that realm – understands this life,” she says.

Ashley announced in April that she and Michael had broken up from their infamously tumultuous marriage while the cameras were rolling on season 7 of RHOP. (Their impending divorce is currently being played out on a reality series.)

She explained in a statement at the time that the two were at “very different stages” in their lives and had “very different goals”.

The ‘housewife’ tells Page Six that both she and Michael – who married in 2014 – are on the same page when it comes to their children.

“As far as Michael and I are concerned, we really are co-parents. Our communication is only about children,” he says. “Maybe it will pass and we’ll eventually develop some friendship, but at this point… he’s very cautious. And we’re keeping it for the kids, which I think is ultimately better. “

Ashley – a self-proclaimed “partner” who is open to another marriage – says rekindling her love life as a single mother can be “extremely difficult” at times.

“I feel very protective of my children, No. 1. That’s why I always look at everyone with the side eye. But my children also require a lot of time,” she tells us.

“So even… when I’m talking to him.” [Gulbranson]my kids will be screaming or running naked in the background,” Ashley continues with a laugh. “And I was like, ‘Oh my God, kids, can I just have a minute?!”

But so far the chaos seems worth it.

“Luke is a really great guy. And to be honest, when I first heard about him, I didn’t know anything about him…except that he was very attractive. And I’m like, “Oh god, is he just going to be such a pretty asshole?” Ashley confesses.

“But no, he’s actually a very compassionate, nice guy. He actually gives some really good life advice too, which really surprised me. And yes, there are so many layers to him, to his personality. It has much more depth.”

“Real Housewives of the Potomac” airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.