It looks like things may be heating up between Ashley Darby and Luke Gulbranson, a Bravolebrity who has starred on Summer House and Winter House!
On Tuesday, Ashley uploaded a photo alongside Luke, which was the first time she had featured him in an Instagram post. Ashley—an OG on The Real Housewives of Potomac—also noted they were in Minnesota, which is where Luke’s from.
In her caption, Ashley called the North Star State “the definition of a winter wonderland.” She warmly thanked him for “showing [her] the beauty of Minnesota” as well.
Various other Bravo stars expressed how excited they were to see the pair together on Instagram, including Cynthia Bailey, Gizelle Bryant, and Stephanie Hollman.
However, Robyn Dixon came through and straightforwardly asked the question on everyone’s mind: “Ok so is this your boyfriend?”
Robyn wants to know if Ashley & Luke are dating. 😭 #RHOP #SummerHouse pic.twitter.com/3elhSa1vIm
— jay (@JaysRealityBlog) December 20, 2022
It All Started On WWHL
While acknowledging Ashley and Luke going IG official, we have to look back at how this situationship first started.
Following the season 7 premiere of RHOP back on Oct. 9, Ashley appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
During a round of “Truth or Drink,” Andy Cohen basically asked if Ashley had a crush on any fellow Bravolebrities. Ashley then responded and said that she had heard of people wanting her to get with Luke, and Andy was all for it.
In fact, Andy proceeded to list some aspects of Luke that he thought Ashley would like.
“He is straight, he is super handsome, he’s tall, he’s a model, he chops wood, he makes jewelry!”
Ashley noted that Andy was “really selling him.” In turn, Cohen admitted that he “like[s] the idea” and will “try to set [them] up.” He also said that he foresaw Luke being all for the idea of getting to know Ashley.
Andy says he’s going to try to set up Ashley and Luke from Summer House 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EwTCMkFshv
— Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) October 10, 2022
To BravoCon & Off Into The Sunset
Mere days after Ashley dished on Luke, they got the opportunity to cozy up at BravoCon in New York City.
Ashley Darby ❤️ Luke.
Is this the beginning?
Only at #bravocon pic.twitter.com/T97x1Nsj4Z— Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) October 16, 2022
Ashley Darby reveals she and Luke from #SummerHouse hung out privately last night 👀 #RHOP #BRAVOCON22 #Bravocon pic.twitter.com/C3uRgFhSlG
— Christopher Rogers (@ChrisRogers86) October 16, 2022
Ashley Darby is single and got coochie cravings for Luke Gulbranson! #RHOP #SummerHouse #BravoCon2022 #Bravocon pic.twitter.com/C0B0o3R6UJ
— Is BITCH better? (@JunkiesReality) October 16, 2022
luke and ashley at the #bravocon afterparty 👀 pic.twitter.com/3L3DGydOvX
— Troy (@troybot) October 17, 2022
After the pair hit it off at BravoCon, Luke was asked about the matter during his Nov. 3 appearance on WWHL.
He shared that he approached Ashley at BravoCon after catching wind of her comments, and he said that the reality star is “fun and outgoing.”
Additionally, Luke confirmed that he and Ashley FaceTimed often and kept in touch. He also admitted that they were planning on hanging out again in the future.
Just a few days later, Ashley showed her, Luke, and some other Summer House stars gettin’ down to “CUFF IT” on TikTok.
@ashleybdarby 1/4 of us is happy about the Viking victory today 😂 #commandernation #fyp @Lindsay Hubbard
What’s The Status Of Ashley & Michael’s Divorce?
At this point, we should note that Ashley and Michel Darby, whose separation is one of the many storylines on this season of RHOP, are not yet legally divorced.
On the show, Ashley previously described the pair’s decision to cohabitate and buy a new home together while separating, and she said that was still the arrangement during her aforementioned WWHL appearance. She also explained that, per Virginia law, she and Michael must be separated for a year before getting divorced.
However, as her situation with Luke is fairly new, it’s currently unclear how it’s impacting her set-up with Michael.
