After months of hanging on the edge of our seats, Real Housewives of Potomac fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief: Season 7 is upon us!
However, let's just say that not everyone is feeling entirely relaxed going into the new season.
In fact, for Ashley Darby, the start of a new season is downright nerve-wracking.
TheThings sat down with the RHOP OG, to hear more about what she's nervous about, this season - as well as the thing she's most excited for fans to see.
Pre-Season Jitters Are Nothing New For Ashley Darby
Hot on the heels of the Season 7 premiere, we asked Ashley if she felt any butterflies for the episodes ahead - and she laughs with a resounding yes.
However, that's nothing out of the ordinary for the longtime RHOP star.
"I would be lying if I said that I don't get nervous every single season," she acknowledges.
"Nerves are just, like, an inherent part of doing this, because I'm human, right? So, inevitably, I probably said something that I wish hadn't been recorded for everyone to see, and to live on forever. I can't think of anything off-hand, but I'm sure I'm going to have a moment where I go, 'Man, I wish I didn't say that!'"
Ashley adds that nearly every season, she cringes at some of the ways she's dealt with situations with her co-stars.
"Hindsight is always 20/20, so even as I watch it, I'll be critiquing how I could have handled a situation better - I do it every season."
"I would like to hope that I learn and grow but ..." she shrugs, laughing again - "I'm a work in progress!"
Nerves Aside, This Is What Ashley Is Excited For, This Season
Ashley may have some nerves going into Season 7, but for the most part, she's excited.
In fact, she can't wait for viewers to witness her becoming herself again, post post-partum depression and her separation from husband Michael Darby.
That said, she shares that for anyone who's witnessed the dynamic in this group over the years, that's not unique to this season.
"There's just something about these women that I just ... I become myself more," she gushes.
"Even after I'd had Dean and was really sad - as soon as I'm around my friends, and Gizelle [Bryant] is making inappropriate jokes, and we just start cutting up, it all just comes back to me."
However, Ashley is the first to admit that even as she's come into her own around her cast mates, the last four years have been tough on her - and that's what makes Season 7 stand out in her mind.
"I finally feel like the real me - and I think that people will see that, especially if they've known me since Season 1."
As for what she thinks said fans will say when the see her this Season?
"Dang, there's Ashley, there she go - Ashley 2.0!" she laughs.
It's safe to say, we can't wait to see what Ashley Darby gets up to this Season on RHOP.
The Real Housewives of Potomac is available to stream every Monday on Hayu.
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