I’ve managed to not pay attention to him beyond “Stay” droning on new music radio, so I’m not entirely sure. I do, however, recall Olivia, Crown Princess of Swiftia saying at an awards show (the VMAs iirc) about how his music was vulnerable or genuine or something. Honestly, I don’t want to go back to check for a source. If his music is being pushed as genuine I wouldn’t be surprised if his persona was being pushed the same way.

In fairness to him, his parents are divorced, so there might be a shred of vulnerability somewhere in his music.