The Home Town Takeover star, 39, addressed social media trolls in a pointed Instagram video shared recently.
Riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle, Napier first told fans she was in Sebring, Fla., filming for season 3 of the HGTV series. While she emphasized that the experience has been “awesome,” she took a moment to address the negativity she has encountered online regarding the homes she and her team are renovating for the show.
“The comments on my Instagram have been really not nice, really rude, some of you guys,” Napier said. A male voice in the background—belonging to her husband and HGTV co-star Ben Napier—added that the comments have been “nasty.”
Erin Napier Calls for Kindness Online
Erin went on to explain that the homes featured on Home Town Takeover are designed for real people who genuinely live in them, and they do see the comments made about their homes.
“Y’all realize we design these houses for people who really live in them, and they really read your comments,” she said. “You’re not hurting my feelings at all. But you are being really ugly to the people who are living in these houses. If you can’t think of something nice to say about these people’s homes…”
Ben, 41, jumped in to finish her sentence: “Don’t say anything at all.”
Ben also expressed that some online trolls are intentionally trying to be “hurtful,” adding, “And that’s the saddest thing about social media.”
Erin took it a step further, telling those who engage in negativity, “And if you’re one of those people who are on social media, unfollow me now. Thank you. I can do that for you if you’d like.”
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Encouraging Fans to “Be Sweet”
Erin reiterated that while she has thick skin and isn’t personally affected by the negativity, the homeowners featured on the show can be deeply hurt by the harsh words of online critics.
“You are gonna hurt someone’s feelings who lives in that house. You know better, guys. Do better, okay? Be sweet. Like I tell my little girls, y’all can be grownups and be sweet, okay?”
She ended with a note for those who leave “sweet” comments, telling them, “Keep on being you. You’re awesome.”
Ben added that those positive people are welcome to visit them in Florida anytime.
Napier captioned the clip, “As my mama would say, y’all act like you’ve got some raising. ❤️.”
Erin Napier’s History of Addressing Online Negativity
This isn’t the first time Erin has addressed negativity on social media. Back in July 2020, she announced that she was turning off her comments until 2021.
“Feels like a good move,” she wrote alongside an Instagram photo of her and Ben. “It’s getting harder to shoulder every opinion from every direction at all times about everything when everyone is freaking out constantly. There’s too much noise.”
She added in part, “It’s nothing to freak out about. No need to shove. Have mercy. Show grace. Social media is for fun.”
Her message serves as a reminder to fans that kindness goes a long way, especially when real people and their homes are involved. As the Napiers continue transforming communities through Home Town Takeover, they encourage viewers to focus on the positive and celebrate the hard work and joy that goes into every renovation.
Despite dealing with negativity online, Ben and Erin Napier remain committed to their work and their passion for home renovation. In a March 2025 interview with TV Insider, the couple was asked about their long-term plans for television. Having signed a multi-year deal with HGTV, they will be busy for a while.
When asked if they had any plans to quit, Ben responded that they don’t have a firm end date in mind.
“HGTV has been extremely good to us and our family,” Ben explained. “Somebody asked me recently, ‘How much longer are you going to do this?’ We’ll do it until they don’t want us to, I guess.”
Erin added, “Do it till it don’t, as we say.”
Ben acknowledged that they’re happy to continue working in television, but Erin emphasized that their family always comes first.
“But our family is our first priority. If there is ever a point it feels like it might be affecting our family in a negative way, we walk away.”
Ben reassured fans that HGTV understands and respects their stance. “And HGTV knows that. They respect that,” he said.
On March 5, Ben took to Instagram to share a glimpse of their time in Sebring, Florida, filming Home Town Takeover.
“Sebring on 35mm. I wanna go back. @erinapier and myself are part of an incredible team that made this show happen,” he wrote in the caption. “We can’t wait for y’all to see our journey back to vacationland of yesteryear. These people made it fun. A wise man once told me that if you’re not having fun making the TV, then the viewers at home won’t have fun watching it.”
Despite online criticism, the Napiers remain dedicated to their projects and passionate about their work. Their focus on family and commitment to bringing positive changes to communities through home renovation continue to drive them forward. For now, fans can rest assured that Ben and Erin aren’t planning to leave television anytime soon.