ARTISTS

SZA

32 · the Real Deal

BY LIZZO

SZA and I first met years ago in Minneapolis. I was a fan of her music, so when she came to town, my friends and I went to her show. We ended up taking a selfie together in the bathroom. I still send her that selfie from time to time, because we had just met and didn’t know that we would have this long relationship. A year later, I booked a tour and she was the headliner. Throughout the experience, she was just so kind and so cool. After that, I literally watched her blow up. When she dropped CTRL, her debut studio album, it was a cultural f-cking reset. She changed the world! The authenticity in her craft—the way she’s able to tell her story and the way she uses melody—is extraordinary. No one can replicate that. When she’s onstage, she’s timeless. She’s someone who’s the real deal, and I think that she’s well on her way to being regarded as one of the greatest songwriters and singers of all time. All she needs is that pen and that voice and her story, and she’s going to be with us for a long time.

Lizzo is a Grammy-winning musician

YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II

36 · Committed to the Journey

BY JASON MOMOA

I fell in love with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II when we met while filming Aquaman in Australia. He was playing the bad guy. It’s extremely challenging to transform your body into playing these superhero characters. The things he did to become Black Manta—I can’t even do it like that. When I was in the gym working out, I’d listen to a bunch of different music. When Yahya was training, it would just be quiet. He was so focused. It’s wonderful watching him on set, with what he commits to each scene and how much he cares for his craft. We always talk about what our next movie might be. When you decide to make a film with someone, you’re going on a long journey. And I tell him: “Dude, if you see a role where I get to support you in something, let me know.” He is an absolutely beautiful man, inside and out.

Momoa is an actor

MACHINE GUN KELLY

32 · Rising Rock Star

BY AVRIL LAVIGNE

Not many people celebrate a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden by smashing a champagne flute on their head, but when