Brooke Shields, the president of Actors' Equity, visited Casa Bonita to advocate for better wages for the restaurant's live performers. This visit occurred earlier this year at the iconic Colorado theme restaurant owned by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shields delivered a letter requesting improved pay for the performers, who are currently earning between $21 and $26 an hour.
Ambush Tactics for Labor Rights
Shields made her visit under a pseudonym to avoid detection by Parker and Stone. “It was slightly an ambush,” she told CNN. “You try doing things respectfully, and then you’re not met with equal respect… so you have to resort to other tactics.” Her visit aimed to draw attention to the ongoing negotiations between the performers and management.
Despite the restaurant's size, Shields noted that she wasn’t immediately recognized, attributing this to the venue's large layout. However, her presence soon became known, as she humorously remarked, “I didn’t have a hat on and mustache or anything.”
Ongoing Labor Negotiations at Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita employs around 80 cast members, including cliff divers, puppeteers, and magicians. These performers unionized under Actors' Equity in 2024 and have been in negotiations with management for over a year, attending 14 bargaining sessions. Their demands include salary increases to match that of food servers.
