Brooke Shields Advocates for Restaurant Workers' Safety Against South Park Creators

WHO:

CNN - Brooke Shields, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Actors’ Equity, Casa Bonita performers

US Magazine - Brooke Shields, Trey Parker, Matt Stone

WHAT:

CNN - Brooke Shields made a reservation at Casa Bonita under a fake name to discuss better wages for performers.

CNN - Casa Bonita’s performers unionized in April 2024, with about 80 performers represented by Actors’ Equity.

CNN - Performers at Casa Bonita are asking for better protections and a raise to align their pay with servers, who earn more.

CNN - Performers are currently paid between $21 and $26 an hour, which is about $10 less than servers.

CNN - Actors’ Equity has filed at least seven labor complaints against Casa Bonita with the National Labor Relations Board.

CNN - Management offered a less-than $1-an-hour wage increase during negotiations.

WHERE:

CNN - Casa Bonita, a Mexican restaurant located in Denver, Colorado.

CNN - Casa Bonita has been a Denver institution for more than 50 years.

WHEN:

CNN - Casa Bonita’s performers unionized in April 2024.

CNN - Casa Bonita was saved from bankruptcy and closure five years ago by Parker and Stone.

CNN - Parker and Stone discussed their renovation plans for Casa Bonita on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in May 2026.

WHY:

CNN - Shields advocates for better wages and safety protections for performers due to unsafe working conditions, including hypothermia and chlorine toxicity.

CNN - Performers claim they lack protections, such as an active shooter policy and security against harassment from patrons.

HOW:

CNN - Shields delivered a letter to Casa Bonita management asking for better wages and safety conditions.

CNN - Performers have been locked in negotiations with management since April of the previous year.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 14:21 UTC)

Brooke Shields recently made a reservation at Casa Bonita under a fake name to advocate for better wages and safety protections for performers, who are currently earning between $21 and $26 an hour, significantly less than the restaurant's servers. The performers, represented by Actors’ Equity, unionized in April 2024 and have been negotiating with management since then, but have faced challenges, including a less-than $1-an-hour wage increase offer. Shields delivered a letter to management outlining their demands, highlighting unsafe working conditions that include risks of hypothermia and chlorine toxicity, as well as a lack of protections against harassment.