It shows signs of too little light. Although evergreen in their natural habitat do not expect that in overwintering fuchsias in cooler climates. Keep it cool and light, allow it to lose its leaves and cut it back in spring. Then start to feed, water and warm up. Repot it in spring if it is still in its original mix. btw they grow very easily from cuttings.

For your zone, there are fully hardy perennial fuchsias as well. Although much more of a shrub than something intended for a hanging basket, these have a much longer bloom cycle than the tender, basket types. In my climate, they hold most of their leaves most of the year and will bloom from May almost through winter. The four fuchsias I am growing are still pushing out a few flowers now in mid December!

There are lists of hardy fuchsia cultivars with many suited to zone 6 and above but any cultivar of Fuchsia magellanica would be a good choice. And make both butterflies and hummingbirds happy!

A problem (which I assume most know) is the summer heat for Fuschias. The SE heat and humidity are not their friends.

As to growing erect, I think they may have used a semi-trailing variety or perhaps too low light probably makes them grow vertical. I have also got a fuchsia I managed to keep going through this summer by putting in a coir basket. Most of the new growth is upright, which I don't mind as I have nowhere to hang the thing so an upright plant would make a better display. Also, I can then put in a regular terracotta pot.

They are reputed to be heavy feeders so low light and/or fertilizer may be why they haven't bloomed as much. I noticed that mine never bloomed as much as when I got it initially in the spring. Probably a combination of low light and not enough food.