Besides the fact the she was born and raised in Miami, Florida, not much is known about Ivy Dickens' past. It is revealed that her father died due to a heroin overdose when she was eight years old right in front of her and her grandmother died of cancer. She wa born on 12 June 1990.

When the truth of her identity is revealed, Ivy finds herself ostracized by the van der Woodsens. She made it clear that she does not care about the money and prestige of the Upper East Side, and only wants a family. Upon the reading of CeCe's will, however, it is learned that CeCe left her estate in the care of Ivy, indicating that CeCe was aware of Ivy's true identity. This newfound wealth does not last, as the Rhodes sisters successfully cheat Ivy out of her inheritance and split it among themselves. In the season's final episode, the real Charlotte Rhodes signs over her share of the inheritance to Ivy, who then promises to do everything in her power to bring down Lily and van der Woodsens.

n the sixth and final season, Ivy is seen dating Rufus Humphrey and later William van der Woodsen in an attempt to undermine Lily Bass, which ultimately fails. After William leaves Ivy, she writes an autobiography detailing her life masquerading on the Upper East Side titled Ivy League.