‘Grateful for the memories’: Beloved CBS Miami reporter Lisa Petrillo signs off
An end of an era, indeed.
After 25 years at CBS Miami, Lisa Petrillo clocked in for the last time Friday.
The longtime entertainment/lifestyle reporter made the shocker of an announcement on social media, telling followers that she was part of the network’s global layoffs this week. An insider close to the situation tells us two other on-air personalities lost their jobs at CBS Miami, meteorologist Ivan Cabrera and sports reporter Trish Christakis, with a total of 12 positions gone. The station did not verify this information nor did it immediately respond to a request for comment.
Last Wednesday, CBS News axed a large swath of staff following its parent company Paramount Global’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media in July. The layoffs, according to Skydance CEO David Ellison, are to address “redundancies that have emerged across the organization,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Of the approximately 1,000 Paramount employees let go as part of Ellison’s initial restructuring of the media giant, about 100 came from CBS News.
But don’t cry for Petrillo. The sunny, bubbly bon vivant is staying upbeat, and looking at the positives, per usual.
“Yes, I’m sad. But mostly, I’m grateful. Grateful for the memories,” wrote the TV vet, who has covered everything from celebrity events and movie premieres to store openings and fine dining on her popular “Taste of the Town” segments. “Grateful for the wildly talented coworkers who became lifelong friends. Grateful for all the great stories I was blessed to tell.”
Accolades poured in to the post, from media colleagues like Local 10’s Louis Aguirre (who called Petrillo “the best of the best”) to big time stars, e.g., Gloria Estefan.
“And we’re grateful for YOU!” wrote the Latin Queen of Pop. “You are a consummate pro, warm, dedicated and on point and whatever you choose to do will be a success! Emilio and I look forward to watching you rock your next chapter!”
On Facebook, Petrillo shared a highlight reel of some of her favorite interviews, including Beatles icon Paul McCartney; tennis champ Roger Federer; late, great comedian Bob Saget; scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis; dapper actor Pierce Brosnan; Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade; and Aussie supermodel Elle Macpherson.
We had to dig deeper and ask the top pinch-me/selfie moments in such an incredible, star-filled career. Up there: Gerard Butler offering up his mother’s phone number for Petrillo’s upcoming trip to Scotland (”He said she would give me a tour”); dancing with Jamie Foxx at a Super Bowl LIV party (”He just grabbed my hand!”); and having Tom Hanks tell her he reminded her of Julia Roberts (”Made me blush”).
Yep, Petrillo, who is married to lawyer Bill McCue with two kids — Skylar, 26, a publicist with The Dana Agency, and Dylan, 28, the guitarist for rock band The Hails — has had a heck of a ride in the 305.
But the ride’s not over. The Bronxville, N.Y., native, who recently documented a successful battle with breast cancer, isn’t going to sit idle. She has lofty plans that will be publicly disclosed soon.
The UM alum, who relocated to the Sunshine State as a teen and graduated from Archbishop Curley, told the Miami Herald she is already hearing from people “eager to collaborate.” In the short term, she’s taking a moment to breathe and figure out her next move.
“I’m excited for whatever comes,” she says. “Especially if it means continuing to shine a light on South Florida’s people, places and stories.”
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 3:56 PM.
