Willi Ninja

Willi Ninja
Willi Ninja demonstrating vogue style of dance in the film Paris is Burning.
Born	William Roscoe Leake April 12, 1961 Middletown, New York, U.S.
Died	September 2, 2006 (2006-09-03) (aged 45) New York City, U.S.
Cause of death	AIDS-related heart failure
Nationality	American
Occupation	Dancer and choreographer

Willi Ninja (April 12, 1961 – September 2, 2006) was an American dancer and choreographer best known for his appearance in the documentary film Paris is Burning.

Ninja, a gay man known as the godfather of voguing, was a fixture of ball culture at Harlem's drag balls who took inspiration from sources as far-flung as Fred Astaire and the world of haute couture to develop a unique style of dance and movement. He caught the attention of Paris is Burning director Jennie Livingston, who featured Ninja prominently in the film. The film, a critical and box office success, served as a springboard for Ninja. He parlayed his appearance into performances with a number of dance troupes and choreography gigs. His style served as an inspiration to Madonna, who immortalized it in her 1990 hit song and music video "Vogue." He also starred in the earlier music video for Malcolm McLaren's "Deep in Vogue".

Born William Roscoe Leake in Middletown, New York, Willi was a self-taught dancer and was perfecting his voguing style by his twenties. It was from fellow voguers in Washington Square Park that Jennie Livingston first heard his name. While he didn't create the form, he worked at refining it with clean, sharp movements to "an amazing level". His influences included Kemetic hieroglyphics, Fred Astaire, olympic gymnasts, and Asian culture.

He participated in Harlem's drag balls with "children" from his House of Ninja. Like other ball "houses", HoN was a combination of extended social family and dance troupe, with Ninja as its Mother. He taught his "children" late into the night on the old Christopher Street pier and at the underground clubs.