According to a report by FemaleFirst, the R&B singer, who will release his album The Year of the Gentleman in August, says that the James Bond star was his inspiration.
Ne-Yo explained, "Sean Connery is an absolute gentleman. His portrayal of James Bond was a lot of the inspiration for the album. I love his look, his swagger. The ladies loved him and all the guys wanted to be him."
The new album, which bears a title inspired by Connery’s 2003 film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, will be Ne-Yo’s first release since May 2007. The single Closer has already been released worldwide.
Ne-Yo collaborated with several artists this year, including Beyoncé Knowles, Usher, Rihanna and Leona Lewis.