Christie Acho (nursing, Dallas) got a taste of the Hollywood glitz and glam when she attended the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, with an added bonus of seeing her son win the coveted trophy.

Acho’s son, Emmanuel Chinedum Acho, received the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series for his “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” podcast. He asked his mother to be his date for the Sept. 11 ceremony.

“I found out he was nominated a few weeks before the Emmys, and it was such a huge surprise,” she said. “I never knew the Emmys had this category. I found out I was going to join him in LA a week before the Emmys and was ecstatic!”

The Hollywood treatment began even before she left Dallas.

“It was like a fairytale,” Acho said. “I had a stylist in Dallas pick out my outfit, jewelry, shoes, bag, and even show me how to pose on the red carpet! It was so much fun! I had three options for a dress but chose the one after a fun poll with my daughters.”

Luckily, the options provided were things she ultimately purchased, so she was able to keep everything she wore.

When she arrived in Los Angeles, Acho stayed at the popular Beverly Hills Hotel and received the five-star treatment.

“I got my lashes done, a facial, my hair, nails, and makeup done as well,” she said. “It was fun and very relaxing, although I had to wake up very early to get ready and be on time.”

The ceremony itself was an experience she’ll never forget.

“I knew (Emmanuel) had a chance to win, but my goodness, hearing his name being called in person was an incredible feeling,” Acho said. “I am tremendously proud of my baby boy! He is my last child and, although all my children are successful in their own fields, he has taken his talent to the next level, always pushing the limits in his ‘Uncomfortable Conversation’ and promoting love and acceptance of everyone, no matter the color of their skin.

“After his career in the NFL, I had no idea he would later win an Emmy, and we just thank God for blessing him in this special way.”