William Roscoe Leake, known professionally as Willi Ninja, was an influential figure in the dance community and a pioneer of voguing, a dance style that originated in the gay dance scene in New York City.
He achieved widespread recognition when he appeared in the 1990 documentary Paris is burningexplore the culture and traditions of the dance world. Willi Ninja’s legacy continues to inspire dancers and artists in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
File
- Full name: William Roscoe Leake
- Stage name: Willi Ninja
- Date of birth: April 12, 1961
- Date of death: September 2, 2006 (aged 45)
- Place of birth: Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: American dancer and choreographer
- Height: 1.9m
- Parent: Esther Leake
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Unknown
- Children: Unknown
- Relationship: Unknown
- Net worth: $3 million
Early life and education
Willi Ninja, a pioneer of the underground LGBTQ dance culture, was born on April 12, 1961 at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, USA. Raised by his mother Esther Leake, little is known about his father or siblings.
After graduating from high school, Willi decided to drop out of college and attend beauty school instead. In the late 1970s, he moved to Greenwich Village, where he became a prominent figure in the dance scene. Although he is American, Willi’s ethnicity is often associated with the LGBTQ dance community, while his religion is Christian.
Career
Willi Ninja, also known as Ninja, emerged as a prominent figure in Harlem’s vibrant drag ball scene in the 1980s. This underground culture created a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people to express themselves through fashion and dance.
Within this community, the House of Ninja became known for its exceptional fashion talent. Ninja’s contributions helped create and refine the form of fashion dance, characterized by sharp, angular movements inspired by high fashion poses.
His innovative choreography and powerful performances catapulted him to fame in the dance culture, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in the art of fashion.
In addition to his impact on the dance scene, Willi Ninja’s talents extend beyond the dance floor. He’s appeared in iconic music videos like Madonna’s Fashioncemented his status as a cultural icon.
He also modeled for famous designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier and even opened his own modeling agency, teaching celebrities how to walk the runway with grace and confidence. His influence and contributions to popular culture will always be remembered and celebrated.
Social media
Willi Ninja does not have any social media accounts.
Personal life
Willi Ninja is an incredibly talented American dancer and choreographer, known for his unique fashion sense. Despite his fame and success, he has chosen to keep his personal life private and has not revealed any information about his relationships to the media.
Sadly, he passed away from AIDS-related heart failure in 2006 at the age of 45, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking dance and powerful self-expression.
Net worth
Willi Ninja is a talented American dancer and choreographer, known for his iconic style and contributions to the underground dance scene.
Despite his success, his net worth was estimated at $3 million, a testament to the lack of recognition and compensation for underground artists. Unfortunately, Willi’s life came to an end when he died of AIDS-related heart failure in 2006 at the age of 45.
