I’ll add my two cents.
Coming from a performance background since a pretty young age(and I’m still young, gen z)- I cry before and after nearly every show I’ve been in. My schools programs had certain pre and post traditions/rituals that were always quite emotional, and in general spending months with people rehearsing a show or concert absolutely connects you, and the post-performance emotional high is real. And that’s without being part of this international super publicized event.
Tbh, I can cry(not sob) just listening to certain songs or just a tender moment in a tv show sooo yeah this is nothing. maybe some people have different emotional thresholds, but I’m not even like a crybaby type at all(like I won’t cry if someone insults me or just from having a bad day, I tend to be very level), but viewing or being apart of something narrative or artistic is just… different. Modeling is different than acting or singing but I’m sure it’s similarly ‘magical’ in its own way.
I personally have never done the whole record yourself crying thing, but I think it doesn’t feel as out of character as you all make it sound for people who always have their phone w them, and people who post everything else.
P.s I didn’t watch the tiktoks cause I don’t have the app. Maybe it looks fake or something idk. I definitely think sometimes people are faking it and obvs publicity is real. But the idea itself is very easy for me to believe.