Why Nicole Kidman never stops working

Women of the Year

For our latest installment of Women of the Year, we considered the most significant issues facing women and girls around the world right now. Here are just a few of interviews with the artists and entertainers tackling those challenges. See the full list here.

• Nicole Kidman. Kidman has made it her mission to use her immense star power to shine a light on emerging directors. In 2017, she pledged to work with a woman director every 18 months. She has far exceeded that promise. Read more.

• Laufey. Laufey’s rapid ascent has led some to anoint her as jazz’s savior. This, in turn, has angered jazz musicians who feel she isn’t doing enough to engage with the genre’s varied history or boundary-pushing present. Laufey brushes off both the crown and the criticism. Read more.

• Olivia Munn. When Olivia Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, she struggled even to tell her family. Later, she found her voice in a big way; because her diagnosis was so unexpected, she decided to speak out. Read more.

Reading

• Isola. Allegra Goodman returns with a thrilling tale of resilience inspired by the true story of Marguerite de La Rocque, the 16th-century French noblewoman who was abandoned on a deserted island. Read more.

• Deep End. Ali Hazelwood’s steamy new romance is set in the world of collegiate swimming. Read more.

• Pure Innocent Fun. With his debut essay collection, Ira Madison III takes the pop culture that made him who he is today very seriously. Read more.

Talking About

• The SNL golden anniversary party has, by now, been raging for months. The best part has been all the musical comedy; read more here.

• After the election, Lara Trump had political options. Ultimately, though, Lara chose another route: her own show on Fox News. Read more here.