SZA’s Ruination Brought Her Everything

How "sad-girl energy" made a pop megastar.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 10, 2023 Photograph by Philip-Daniel Ducasse for The New York Times. In this week's issue: Danyel Smith on the musical megastar SZA; James Verini on the paradox of prosecuting domestic terrorism; Joshua Hunt on the Japanese novelist Mieko Kawakami; and more. FEATURES Philip-Daniel Ducasse for The New York Times SZA's Ruination Brought Her Everything Her moody, enigmatic music made her a megastar. Can she learn to live with success? By Danyel Smith Osamu Yokonami for The New York Times 'Breasts and Eggs' Made Her a Feminist Icon. She Has Other Ambitions. Will the Japanese novelist Mieko Kawakami's stark explorations of class translate to American readers? By Joshua Hunt n/a The Paradox of Prosecuting Domestic Terrorism The U.S. prosecuted Brian Lemley for threats, not violence. Is that what it takes to fight extremism? By James Verini COLUMNS Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times TALK Walter Mosley Thinks America Is Getting Dumber "There are people who don't know how to spell, they don't know how to think," says the bestselling novelist. By David Marchese Illustration by Tomi Um THE ETHICIST My Husband Won't Help Pay for My Kids' Tuition. Should I Divorce Him? The magazine's Ethicist columnist on how to navigate financial tensions with a spouse By Kwame Anthony Appiah Illustration by Gabriel Alcala LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION A 90-Second Cure for Existential Dread, Every Sunday Night Carrie Underwood's musical intro to "Sunday Night Football" offers a dazzling gift — even if you're not a fan of the game. By Caity Weaver Photo illustration by Mark Harris SCREENLAND The Trouble With Reboot TV The reboot that changes nothing will be uncanny and lifeless; the one that thinks itself more clever than its predecessor will turn out cynical and sour. By Elizabeth Nelson Photo illustration by Ina Jang DIAGNOSIS Her Foot Looked Normal. What Was Causing the Excruciating Pain? A few weeks after she twisted her ankle, the girl's foot kept getting worse. Her hand movements cued the doctor to a mysterious disease. By Lisa Sanders, M.D. Illustration by Louise Zergaeng Pomeroy Judge John Hodgman on Bird-Watching Etiquette A couple disagrees on getting hushed during hobby time. By John Hodgman Illustration by R. O. Blechman Poem: Lost in America A poem that shakes us awake, enacting and preserving the fugitive possibilities of "healing from the law." By Nikki Wallschlaeger and Anne Boyer Stay in touch: Like this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. Download Audm for iPhone or Android. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving The New York Times Magazine, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018