For those of you who don’t know [of] him, he is a legendary figure in the ballroom scene and a star of the innovative 1990 film “Paris Is Burning.”
Willi taught some of fashion’s elite to sashay down the runway. From Iman to Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell to Betty Lago to name a few. He has recently added his unique flavor to television shows such as Extreme Make Over, I Want To Be A Hilton and Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Willi Ninja, at 45; helped develop vogue form of dance
NEW YORK -- Dancer Willi Ninja, a star of the documentary “Paris is Burning,” who was considered the godfather of the dance form voguing and who inspired Madonna’s “Vogue” music video, died Saturday of AIDS-related illnesses at New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, friends and relatives said. He was 45.

Voguing, which dates to gay Harlem ballrooms of the early 20th century, consists of a combination of model-like poses and creative arm, leg, and body movements.

Willi Ninja, 45, Self-Created Star Who Made Vogueing Into an Art, Dies
by LOLA OGUNNAIKE for the New York Times

Willi Ninja is featured in Ms. Sommer’s documentary, “Check Your Body at the Door,” now in production.

William R. Leake was born in Queens on April 12, 1961, and grew up in Flushing. He began dancing at 7. By the early 1980’s he was vogueing in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village and at drag balls throughout Harlem. He prided himself on being a clean, sharp dancer, with swiftly moving arms and hands, and he was deeply inspired by the martial arts — hence his adopted name, Ninja.

published: September 6, 2006

Willi Ninja, 1961-2006

Willi Ninja Is Dead at 45

Legendary vogueing artist came to mainstream attention in “Paris Is Burning”

Willi Ninja, a legendary figure in the drag ball community, died Saturday at New York Hospital Queens at the age of 45.

The dance artist who in the last several days has alternately been called the “godfather” and “grandfather of vogueing” suffered AIDS-related heart failure, according to The New York Times. During the past year, many who were concerned for Willi Ninja’s well-being circulated e-mails chronicling his increasingly severe bouts of illness.