Part 3/8:
In September 2022, an intriguing article from Deadspin described Reynolds's public persona in a less-than-flattering light. It suggested that he may have reached a stage where he no longer felt the need to uphold the charm that won him adoration from millions. The notion that someone can be "nice" endlessly without pause is dubious, especially when success breeds a certain degree of entitlement. This is the first indication of a shifting dynamic: as Reynolds flourished, did he abandon the niceness that once defined him?