Erin Napier says Drew Barrymore helped her feel 'lovely' at the CMAs: 'It helped me feel like I belonged'
Erin Napier revealed that her "style icon" Drew Barrymore helped her snag her dream CMAs dress.
The HGTV star shared a post to Instagram on Thursday thanking Barrymore for putting her in contact with the designer of her gown after she had trouble finding the dress she wanted in her size.
Napier, a presenter at the awards, began the post by explaining her relationship with country music and what it means to her now.
"About the CMA awards: I grew up in a house that always had Conway Twitty and Randy Travis vinyls on the record player, George Jones playing on daddy's tape deck in his truck, Charlie Pride 8 tracks in the cabinet. I grew out of country music by junior high school, and returned to it when I fell in love with Ben in college. Songs about forever love and unmendable heart break made me feel so much if I let myself imagine ever losing Ben. I understood why my parents loved it so much," she wrote.
She went on to thank country musicians Chris and Morgane Stapleton for helping navigate life in the limelight.
"Becoming friends with Chris Stapleton and Morgane Stapleton and their family in 2018 was a godsend when we were navigating our new careers on the public stage and they became like family for us: mentors and guides in this strange world we've found ourselves. It was such an honor to present Chris the award that made him the winningest male vocalist in CMA history last night. scotsman.co got misty eyed when he opened the envelope," she added.
Finally, she revealed the true story behind her jaw-dropping gown, giving a special shoutout to Barrymore for helping her feel "fancy" on the big day.
"To add to this surreal experience was The Dress. I had about 12 days to find something to wear when we found out we would be presenting. I am ignorant about fashion, frankly. We are not red carpet people. I was lucky enough to meet @drewbarrymore last year when we were guests on her show — my style icon growing up! I looked up to her for so many years! I nervously reached out to her to ask: where do I begin to find a dress? I found one I loved but couldn't find my size… Drew asked @marchesafashion to help me, and help they did. Because of her and my dear friend @meeschka, I've never felt so lovely and fancy and outside my norm. It helped me feel like I belonged when I was so nervous," she wrote.
She tied the post together by highlighting the importance of mentorship and how she hopes she can be the Drew Barrymore in someone else's story one day.
"So this post is really about mentors and the ways they walk beside us. I'm thankful to have them and hope I can be that for someone too. (PS Ben has never been so hunky and Alan Jackson's speech made us cry. The end.)"
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