I have said before on here I think Betrayal completely drained him emotionally. Think of method actors who have to play dark characters and become depressed because of it. He had to pretend he was cheated on by what we now know at the time was *possibly* his partner every single night for almost a year. That would take a lot out of anyone. Then on top of it he would do stage door even though as you said he had no obligation.
I think some of it may have been the fatigue of dealing with overzealous fans. I’m certain there were women who would show up multiple nights- there would be pushing and shoving and people would always be filming him without his consent. On west end they had to implement the rule about not leaving early to get to the stage door.
I don’t mind “new” Tom, I think his vivacious energy at the beginning was reflective of a guy who had been trying to break into the business for ten years and become a superstar overnight. Of course he was going to milk it. I don’t think it was fake but I think it came from a place of heightened ego and riding a high of the fandom. After that high ended and he became chastised for his enthusiasm it makes sense he would tone it down.
My sister and I like to play a game where I look at my ig feed to see if it is still only Tom and fluffy animals. Occasionally RDJ or Chris Evans creep in but it’s funny every time:
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