HOW KELLI & MEI MET
In typical PR/media fashion, Mei Ling and Kelli met when Mei Ling sent a pitch email to Kelli at the television station. They finally met when Mei Ling accompanied her client to the television station where Kelli was producing the morning show. They instantly clicked and as their friendship grew so did their rolodex and careers. Mei Ling serviced clients from Hollywood filmmakers and events, to faith-based ministries and conferences. Kelli expanded her broadcast background to entertainment reporting and hosting, interviewing some of the biggest names in the film industry which has taken her across the globe.
After nearly a decade of working alongside each other, marriages and kids, the dynamic duo decided to come together with a joint venture. The vision for Family Entourage came after years of interaction and travel with celebrities and their families. Their own family and friends would always ask about their adventures and be curious as to how the stars raised their family. Whether it’s a manger, publicist, or hair and make-up, celebrities are notorious for traveling with an entourage. Who everyone surrounds themselves with is crucial, so Kelli and Mei Ling wanted to focus on the most important entourage of all — one’s family. But don’t take their word for it, you’ll hear straight from the source as stars share everything from parenting styles to party plans, and just like you, their daily family drama. They hope you are encouraged and laugh along with them as part of the #famtourage!
KELLI GILLESPIE RICHARDSON
Kelli Gillespie Richardson calls San Diego home but commutes regularly to Los Angeles, New York and other various domestic, and international, locations on assignment.
Kelli has been an integral part of FOX, CW and CBS in San Diego since 2002. She has done red carpet interviews for Independent Spirit Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Billboard Awards, and Comic Con International. She’s covered American Idol and sat down one-on-one with the biggest names in the industry including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro, and Julia Roberts. Kelli was also seen on the show Southern California Life airing weeknights on KVMD-TV in Los Angeles with her Celebrity Corner segments. Kelli is a voting member of the Critics Choice Association (formerly the Broadcast Film Critics Association).
Kelli is also the Editor-in-Chief of the national magazine publication, Risen which focuses on the heart and soul of actors, athletes and musicians. Under Risen Media the multihyphenate co-produced her first feature film Hardflip, starring Rosanna Arquette, John Schneider and Randy Wayne (June, 2012). Kelli served as Executive Producer on a western called A Sierra Nevada Gunfight, with Michael Madsen and John Savage (May 2013). The third Risen film Like A Country Song, starring Billy Ray Cyrus, was released in Fall of 2014.
Born and raised in Northern California, Kelli jump-started her television career at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego where she graduated cum laude with a BA in Mass Communications. Kelli’s faith, family and friends are extremely important to her and when she’s not working she devotes all her time to them.
MEI LING NAZAR
Mei Ling Nazar grew up in a suburb outside of Chicago. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Advertising from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After college, she moved to San Diego and worked during the school year for CRU while continuing to serve as the Assistant Women’s Director of Kids Across America Kamps during the summers. She wanted to help students and their families and would go on to get her MA in Youth and Family from John Brown University. After completing her MA program, Mei Ling returned to PR/media. Her desire was to create and pitch stories that would transform the culture including the youth and families.
Mei Ling served as the Public Relations and Social Media Director of the Rock Church for seven years. She recruited and developed a team of more than 40 staff and volunteers. Under her leadership, her team won three PRSA Silver Bernays and two Bronze Bernays Awards. In 2012, she was selected by PRSA as the New Pro of the Year. She led her team to support nine funerals including the West Coast Memorial for the Navy SEALs and Junior Seau’s funeral and memorial both of which received national media attention. From lawsuits to upset neighbors, the team also navigated more than 25 crisis situations. While Mei Ling is no longer at the Rock full-time, she continues to consult with the Rock and other churches and organizations helping them with their PR and strategic communication plans.
Mei Ling and her husband Rick met through mutual friends. They dated for several years and then were married in 2013. If you catch reruns of Shark Tank, you can see their engagement photo from Paparazzi Proposals on an episode. They have one son, Joshua and a daughter, Sophia. They enjoy spending time with their friends and family as well as relaxing at the pool.