‘RHOP’ Star Ashley Darby Admits She Didn’t Do Roberta Flack Justice After Fans Slam Her Singing & Botched Performance!

‘RHOP’ Star Ashley Darby Admits She Didn’t Do Roberta Flack Justice After Fans Slam Her Singing & Botched Performance!

Ashley Darby, known for her role on The Real Housewives of Potomac, recently faced significant online criticism following her live performance of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song” on FOX 5 DC. The April 3 appearance was intended to promote her upcoming show at Mr. Henry’s in Washington, D.C., honoring the late Roberta, who passed away on February 24, 2025.​

During the broadcast, Ashley, 36, delivered a rendition that many viewers found off-key, leading to swift reactions on social media. Comments ranged from jesting about her confidence to questioning the necessity of the tribute.

Even Tony Award winner Melba Moore appeared to subtly critique the performance by sharing a GIF of Aretha Franklin’s “beautiful gowns” remark, a phrase often interpreted as a polite dismissal. ​

Fans didn’t hold back in the comments section after Ashley Darby’s performance went viral. One user wrote, “Roberta Flack didn’t deserve this level of disrespect.” Another added, “Ashley sounds like she skipped every vocal warm-up and just went for it.”

A third chimed in, “This performance is killing me softly… literally.” Some viewers tried to be more humorous, with one joking, “That mic needs therapy after what it’s been through.” While a few fans praised her confidence, the majority called for Ashley to “stick to reality TV and yoga.”

Despite the backlash, Ashley proceeded with her scheduled performance at Mr. Henry’s on April 5. Addressing the earlier criticism, she stated, “I’m not going to blame anybody else, even if some blame should be distributed. I will not do that. I will say that we did not do justice, at least what came out on TV, to Roberta Flack.” ​

The event at Mr. Henry’s aimed to celebrate Roberta’s legacy, with ticket proceeds benefiting House of Ruth, a nonprofit organization supporting women and families.

Ashley expressed her excitement prior to the event, noting, “I am beyond words excited for my first exhibition at the legendary Mr. Henry’s, where THE Roberta Flack was discovered!” ​

While Ashley Darby’s musical endeavors have garnered mixed reactions, she remains committed to pursuing her passion for singing.

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Avigail is an Entertainment blogger at All About The Tea, who specializes in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She’s a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas, with a passion for travel, writing, reality TV watching, pop culture and spoken word.