Can confirm. I’ve made and worn historically accurate Victorian corsets for a few decades. They’re actually quite comfortable, supportive, and great for back pain.
The fainting thing is a myth. You can breathe fine and even touch your toes easily.
Only a few people were doing extreme tight lacing for clout – basically the equivalent of the Kardashians – but since photography was expensive and the media was like it is now, those were the ones we heard about most. Regular women weren’t doing that.