Ne-Yo spends too much time cultivating a look to have it marred by chewing gum.

But there the singer-songwriter was Friday night at the Glamorama after-party, taking pictures with fans, trying to dance like Fred Astaire, all the while chomping on gum. Gum chewing is incompatible with donning the hat and the glasses and the nice suit and the shoes, Ne-Yo.

Gum chewing minifies the sophisticated style you so studiously attempt to convey.

Don't believe me, see startribune.com/video for yourself. After our interview I realized that I should have done Ne-Yo the favor that Oprah did Jaime Foxx when she told him to give her the gum before a big appearance.

The only time a celebrity should be caught with gum in his or her mouth while video cameras are present is when they are on a set shooting a chewing gum commercial. And that applies to you, too, Brad Pitt.

C.J. is at 612.332.TIPS or cj@startribune.com. E-mailers, please state a subject -- "Hello" doesn't count. Attachments are not opened, so don't even try. More of her attitude can be seen on FOX 9 Thursday mornings.