If we can cry or be shaken by small emotional moments on screen, why is it so hard to believe that a person can be emotionally affected by a tragic character whose pain and emotions they have to reflect for days at a time?
It can be genuine. It can be a publicity stunt. We will never know what exactly going on in the minds of people.
I personally choose to believe that people have empathy.
Maybe I am naive and dumb. But I think it takes a very dark and twisted person to use people's personal tragedy for self-publicity in a very intentional and calculated manner. I honestly don't think many humans are that dark. Perhaps when people dislike someone they see only the dark side.

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