Bachelor of Arts, Telecommunications | Michigan State University, Lansing, MI

Minor, Advertising​

High School Graduate| North Farmington High School, Farmington Hills, MI

2008 – Present Kelly Nieto

Inspirational Speaker, Humorist, Emcee

Kelly loves sharing her conversion story from life on the road as an agnostic New Ager, Miss America Runner-Up and Talent Winner and opening act for Garth Brooks to being led by God to create the international, critically acclaimed production Cross and Light, a Broadway caliber musical of Christ’s Passion to Pentecost. ​

2010 - Present  Cross and Light Ministries 

Executive Producer,  Creator, Lyricists, Scriptwriter & Songwriter

Created and Produces Cross and Light, an international critically acclaimed musical and video surround experience of Christ's Passion through Pentecost. Cross and Light Ministries is a Christian, theatrical production company with the national and international rights to produce Cross & Light. 

2009 - Present Living Faith - Fine Arts Apostolate 

Executive Director 

Founded the Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Detroit to support the national expansion of Cross and Light. Entered into the Official Kennedy Directory in 2010 to present. 

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Kelly & Co. 

Producer & Entertainer 

Created a one-woman musical comedy show and marketed it to corporations, cruise-ships, fairs and festivals nationwide. Produced and marketed shows to booking agencies nationwide. Worked as an emcee for corporations, and local and statewide Miss America Pageants. 

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Miss America Achievements

Miss America 3rd Runner Up 

Miss America National Talent Winner 

Miss Michigan 1986 

Miss America Gillette Tour Performer 1987-88 

Emceed the Miss America Pageant in 2009 in Las Vegas

Emceed the Miss Michigan Pageant for 23 consecutive years

Cross and Light - Parish Events 

2015 -2019

Over 165,000 people in attendance from San Diego, Adelaide Australia, Tampa, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Indianapolis, Detroit and many more cities.

Developed an Epic Event Management System to train over 100 church leaders and volunteers each year how to host, manage, and market to reach thousands in their community. Churches who implemented the system average 3,500 people in attendance per weekend of shows.

Launched the Cross and Light App in San Diego, February 2018. 

Music Hall - Center for the Performing Arts

15,000 in attendance at the iconic Music Hall in Detroit. Received 5 Star Reviews from EncoreMichigan.com comparing Cross and Light to Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. 

Australian Catholic Theater Production 

The Cross (a shorter of version of Cross & Light) was licensed to ACT in Adelaide, AU for two years with over 7,000 people in attendance. 

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

2011 marked the first professional run of the show at the Most Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Over 22,000 people attended the Cross & Light (formerly Living Stations), the largest Archdiocesan event at the Cathedral.