I am trying to find a word or a phrase to state that someone is posturing they had an impoverished or lower middle class childhood, even though that was not the case. Especially if they say it to foster communion. I do not want to use the simple word pretend(ing) and fraud(ulent) seems to be too malevolent.
My example is that Taylor Swift alludes that she had an average or less average childhood, in terms of financial status. She actually grew up in a well-to-do life, as her father is a very successful business man and the family owns a Christmas tree farm.
She states in "I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version)" that "I was raised on a farm, no, it wasn't a mansion. Just livin' room dancin' and kitchen table bills." Though these are lyrics to her song, she is implying that this was her upbringing.
Taylor Swift has a very intense and loyal fan base. While they most likely would not even care if she was found to be Satan, pretending to be a commoner only adds to her charm and relatability.