Bragans niece and American Idols Taylor Hicks

The Bragan Realty family was glued to their TV set this week as they watched their niece Julie Courtney, 31, of San Francisco win a “Dating With the Stars” contest on Regis and Kelly Live.

She was selected to go out on the town in New York by American Idol Taylor Hicks with the TV cameras following them from their initial limousine ride to dinner in a fine restaurant, quiet moments along the ocean front, and a chance to show their talent at Karaoke.

The talent was hard to miss and they sang together like true professional singers

Carol Bragan’s daughter Courtney Murphy spends a lot of time with her cousin as they drive back and forth to each other’s homes. “Courtney was glued to the TV during the show and I had to stay home and watch,” Bragan said. Uncle Dave had to take advantage of having it recording and seeing it later.

It was obvious that they wowed their audience, and the chemistry between them seemed perfect starting with Hicks’ presentation of a single, red rose, and a harmonica in the back seat of the chauffeured limo.

The Manteca Realtor said she doesn’t think it all ended between the couple that night as they have been emailing each other daily ever since they met on the show.

Hicks is starring in the production of “Grease” in New York until the end of March when he will be coming out to San Francisco for a West Coast production.

It was just last year that Julie emceed a segment for the Santa Cruz 100th birthday on television telling of the development of the Boardwalk and the roller coaster. While she works in real estate, too, she graduated from U.S. Santa Barbara in Communications.

She grew up in Castro Valley where her parents continue to live, and where her dad is a developer. Julie is also a professional singer, having entertained on the Bay Cruises. She is a past Miss Contra Costa County.

Carol Bragan was quick to complement Julie saying she is pretty and has a fabulous smile.

http://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/article/1800/

I think it is great that this girl got the chance to go out with our guy for this dream date. Taylor is such a great guy and glad to know he had a good time as well. However, now that we know a little about Julie I am so hoping that she is not keeping her interest going to simply try to break into the entertainment field by using Taylor. He deserves better than that. I know I am showing my negative side but in reality I never want Taylor to be unhappy and the mother instinct in me is coming out to protect our guy.

Anyhow, thanks for the post.

I am on the same wave length as you CC...
I hope I am wrong for Taylor's sake. However, I did notice in the video she seemed (and I do mean seemed because I don't know her)
Very controling. In point- When Tay opened the door for her when they were going to dine. She walked way ahead of him and Tay had this look of like "Okay"..
Then she seemed to be in the camera face every time she had a chance.
I suppose I shouldn't analise so much because I don't know them and I wasn't behind the sceans.. however, These are things I happened to notice that just had my thoughts wondering...

Well, I am wondering if she has an ulterior motive as well - some of the things I saw...well, I didn't want to really see. I really, really hope not. I do hope they've maintained a good friendship at least - and it sounds as if they might have! Maybe my eyes are wrong.
Anyhow, if he's happy, I'm happy...
~tyg

:) Glad to know I was not the only one who thinks there might be more to this dream date than meets the eye. If this girl does want to be real friends with Taylor I also am happy for him and hopefully that is the case.