According to one of Courtney’s friends, Courtney and Ben are more in love then when he proposed. The major drama that unfolded after their engagement, only served to bring them closer. They were spotted at a bridal show in New York, Monday, April 9th. It is reported that during the show Courtney giggled and Ben played with her hair. All of the dresses Courtney looked at were by her good friend Mark Zunio.
The friend reports that now that they are out of the spotlight,”They are giving it there all.”
So we believe it? Or is this another ruse to throw Bachelor Fans off the track.
Hey Bachelor and Bachelorette Fans! Yesterday we had the unique opportunity to catch up with our local Bachelor candidate Lamar Hurd, a fan favorite to be cast for Bachelor Season 17 and the man we have all have all been reading so much about on all the major entertainment web sites. As a matter of fact the list of new outlets covering this story just seems to grow by the hour and so we consider it a huge privilege to bring you these details…not to mention that if ABC does in fact cast Lamar as the Bachelor, some of these clues may in fact turn into spoilers….So check out this exclusive interview and make sure you have voted in the Poll as far as who you want to see as the next Bachelor!
Will ABC cast Portland Youth Basketball Coach Lamar Hurd as the Bachelor for season 17 this fall?!
Bachelorette Blog: Earlier this year you Tweeted that you would watch the Bachelorette when they went to Red Robin for a date? So if you were the Bachelor for season 17 would you like to do some less complex and more personal dates which reflect a more real dating experience?
Lamar Hurd: Haha man, you guys go wayyyy back on my tweets! That tweet was a joking way of me saying it’d be nice to see a few more “realistic” dates take place on the show. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy seeing the dates in the exotic locations, with lunches on the beach or dinners on top of a mountain. But, considering that these people are dating with the hopes of potentially living a lifetime together (at least that would be my purpose), it would be cool to see them go on a few more “everyday” type of dates. It’s all good though – I think the show does a good job integrating both types of dates.
Bachelorette Blog: As the bachelor you would take your dates to visit your hometown in Portland Oregon. Where are three possible places that you may want to go while in Portland? Lamar Hurd: You’re correct – despite being from Houston, my hometown dates would definitely be in Oregon due to the numerous family relationships I’ve established here; that and the fact that I have lived here for basically the past 10 years. I’d just need to fly my family from TX for the dates!
3 places we’d visit:
1) We’d definitely have to make a stop at my alma matter, Oregon State University. Not only did I graduate from and play basketball there, but I’m still heavily involved with the university both from an athletic standpoint and through community service.
Lamar Hurd coaching at his Youth Basketball Camp
2) Mt. Hood! Or maybe in honor of the show, we’d go to Mt. Bachelor instead. I’ve never been skiing, and this would be such a wonderful reason and time to finally go! Besides, I absolutely love log cabins.
Is it possible that we could see Mt. Bachelor or Mt. Hood in a Future Episode of the Bachelor if Lamar is cast?
3) This is the most important one… We’d go to the kids’ games!
I currently co-own a youth basketball organization called All In One Basketball, and the majority of my life is currently dedicated to that. Whichever girl I end up with, whether in dating, in a relationship, or in a marriage; she will be somewhat of a motherly figure to all the hundreds of kids I’m involved with. It’s extremely important to me that she’s ready and willing to embrace that role.
Bachelorette Blog: What is your longest relationship? Do you really feel you are really ready for engagement and marriage?
Lamar Hurd: My longest relationship was with my high school girlfriend – it lasted for 2.5 years. She was two years younger than me, so when I left TX and went to college things were a bit more difficult for us. She decided that she wanted to have a boyfriend at home to go on dates with, go to prom with, etc – and I totally understood. So we broke up right before my sophomore year of college. I’m positive that I’m ready for an engagement and marriage, but only with whom I consider to be the right girl for me. I’m very, very picky; but if I find the girl I want, it would be an honor and a pleasure to commit to her.
Bachelorette Blog: Have you ever watched the bachelor or bachelorette?
Lamar Hurd: Yes, from 2008-2010 I would watch often. Jake Pavelka’s season was the last one where I caught every single episode. Since that time, I’ve just gotten a lot busier in my work life and therefore my evening television watching has decreased.
Bachelorette Blog: Did you watch last season of the Bachelor and were there any of the ladies that struck your attention? Lindzi Cox, Kacie Boguskie or anyone else perhaps?
Lamar Hurd: I was able to catch a few episodes, but not many. I did catch enough to know that everyone…and I mean EVERYONE…hated Courtney Robertson. Haha poor girl. I didn’t see enough to form my own legitimate opinion of her, but I don’t think I heard much positive feedback about her. You always have to keep in mind though that these shows are edited to the producers’ preference – so who knows, there may have been some good from Courtney that we weren’t able to see? Although I have a feeling that like 99% of the girls reading this are shaking their head “no”.
Bachelorette Blog: What qualities are you looking for in a life partner?
Lamar Hurd: My ideal partner would be extremely loving and kind, and she’d possess great motherly qualities (as all the kids who are currently in my life will always be very important to me – not just our own kids). I make a lot of decisions based off faith, so I will need someone who shares similar spiritual beliefs as I. I’m very attracted to intelligence, and I’m also very attracted to confidence without arrogance. Due to the nature of my jobs and the various relationships I have, I’m usually around big groups of people; therefore something that will be important in a partner will be her ability to control a crowd and conversation (not a must-have, but it’ll definitely be a bonus!).
Bachelorette Blog: What do you like to do for hobbies besides work and basketball?
Lamar Hurd: Watch Real Housewives!
Lamar admits his guilty pleasures include watching a little Real Housewives!
Haha that’s my favorite show… ATL & OC is a tie, NY and NJ is next, and then Beverly Hills last. Although, Beverly Hills has recently grown on me a bit! Really, the main thing I do outside of my work life is hangout with the kids and families. I sometimes feel like the kids are literally my own because so much of my life and activities revolves around them. I know I should take more time for myself, everybody tells me that – it’s just difficult for me because I always wanna be involved in whatever the kids are doing.
Bachelorette Blog: Who has the most influence in your personal or business life?
Lamar Hurd: Aside from my mom, my youth basketball coach has the most influence on my overall life. Growing up with my mom (no dad at home) allowed me to really understand a female. I saw my mom’s highs and lows, her happy and sad times…and all her mad times. Haha the mad times usually involved a belt coming towards me! It was out of love though. Basically I was just able to observe, and understand her. But my coach is the one who taught me what it means to be a quality man. He didn’t really have to force me to do anything; I was compelled to imitate his life because I felt like he was one of the coolest people on earth. He was able to initially grab my attention so strongly due to his basketball ability and affiliation. Once he had my attention, he was able to use his influence to help mold me into who I am today. That’s the main thing I love about being a basketball coach & mentor to my kids today. It’s a responsibility.
Bachelorette Blog: Where would you like to travel to during filming if you were the Bachelor Season 17?
Lamar Hurd: Italy, Dubai, or the Swiss Alps! Those are three places to which I’ve never been, and at some point I’d like to go. Definitely would rather go on ABC’s bill than my own!
Bachelorette Blog: We have heard that your assistant spearheaded the idea to apply? How did this all start? Lamar Hurd: Totally her idea – she was trying to be sneaky and sign me up without my knowing! I found out one night at one of her family bbq’s as she and her sisters were giggling…excessively…at the opposite end of the table. One of the sisters blurted out “Well Tammie you’ve been trying to get Lamar on the Bachelor!” At that moment the cat was out the bag, but I was resistant to the idea of it – mainly because a lot of the ladies I know are always trying to play match-maker for me and I know it’s just a big ball of fun for them haha. So I figured we could pass on this form of entertainment this time. But about 3 months later, the idea came up again from one of my television co-workers. Tammie caught wind of it, and of course that was just fuel to her fire that had never burned out! So that moment, I agreed with her that if she did all the necessary work to make this thing happen, then I’d do my part by making an audition tape, meeting with whoever I needed to meet with, etc. It took Tammie maybe 10 minutes to have the application printed out and to already be directing what she wanted the audition video to look like… Haha I’d say she was ready for that moment. And, here we are today!
…retweet & share this via Twitter & Facebook or leave your comments below. Also check out the new Lamar Hurd Fan Site from BachelorMansion.com where, if Lamar is cast we plan to collect and share the latest news on the casting of ladies, filming, and all the usual details.
That tweet was a joking way of me saying it’d be nice to see a few more “realistic” dates take place on the show. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy seeing the dates in the exotic locations, with lunches on the beach or dinners on top of a mountain. But, considering that these people are dating with the hopes of potentially living a lifetime together (at least that would be my purpose), it would be cool to see them go on a few more “everyday” type of dates. It’s all good though – I think the show does a good job integrating both types of dates.
