I think the primping was worth it. This Jay Godfrey gown makes me feel like Cinderella.

HOLLYWOOD SECRET NUMBER EIGHT: It is no coincidence that the dress a star wears to an award show fits her like a glove. Almost every celebrity I know works with a stylist, but some go one step further -- they collaborate on their dresses with the designer of a gown. When you do that, you're almost guaranteed a one-of-a-kind creation that will wow the crowd and the tabloids. Many designers sent over dresses for me to wear for tonight, and some even designed things with me in mind, but Jay was the first designer to create the dress of my dreams. This is how it was done: First I visited Jay's office and discussed exactly what I envisioned wearing. I flipped through some of Jay's design books for ideas. A week later Jay presented me with sketches based on the silhouettes and colors I liked. He picked materials for the gown and after we agreed on them, Jay's team hand sewed the dress for me to try on. The minute I slipped it on, I knew it was the one.

The navy dress is tight through the hips and then flows with several light layers that fall into a short train that can be bustled for dancing. The dress is so pretty that Jay said I didn't need a necklace. I just borrowed a ten-carat diamond bangle and three-carat dangling sparklers from Harry Winston. (Security will be waiting for me at the end of the VF party to take back the baubles.) I'm pretty excited about my hair too. We ironed it flat and Paul cut a few wispy bangs. Shelly gave me smoky eyes, nude lips, and blush.

Mom loved how Matty and I looked so much that she took a ton of pictures as if we were off to the prom. Except if I was going to the prom, I'd be with Austin. I wish he could be here instead of seeing it all in pictures tomorrow.

"Ready, kids?" Rodney asks as we pull up to Morton's Steakhouse.

Matty and I look at each other. "Are you ready?" I ask.

"Yeah." He blots the sweat from his brow. "Just don't leave me, okay?"

Aww. "I won't. We'll stick together."

I don't tell Matty this, but I need him as much as he needs me tonight. As exciting as all this is, and as much as I've been looking forward to it, I also feel strangely alone in this world. My costars are at different parties, and my TV star pal Gina is in Europe. Lauren and Ava are going to be here, but we're not close enough that I felt comfortable suggesting we go together.

The car door opens and Rodney is there to help us out. I hear the click of the cameras and photographers yelling things like "Look over here!" Now I'm getting nervous.

Matty steps out first and I'm right behind him. Morton's restaurant has been transformed into a Vanity Fair ad. The magazine's logo is up in yellow lights above the white building and there is also a thirty-foot high myrtle topiary sculpture. People dressed in black are everywhere, and I can see the magazine's editor-in-chief, Graydon Carter, way up ahead near the door, situated next to someone with a clipboard checking off names. Before we can even get to the door, we have to do the long red carpet.