I've been wondering where the disconnect could be in some viewers for Machida. He has excellently constructed programs and he is one of the more consistent skaters this year, not to mention he puts 100% into his performance at all times.
There are plenty of figure skaters who love to skate with loads drama and intensity that don't get the same criticism of being 'inauthentic' or maybe they do?
It may be that Machida seems to take him self way too seriously. Vornov and Misha have OT drama but a bit of a grin here and there so we know it's just skating, it's just fun. But Machida is like "THIS IS SERIOUS! I AM BEING AN ARTIST!" all the time -Could this be off-putting?
-That's why I liked his Queen 'having a good time' EX so much. It showed that he knew how to relax a bit and have fun.
I can get that feeling from Machida sometimes, too. Sometimes the OTT drama can just work, like in his LP at Skate America; I thought that was amazing. But he does project that "I am a serious arteeeeeest" thing, which I don't always find appealing. It's like Lambiel on steroids.