William Roscoe Leake AKA: Willi Ninja was born in Middletown, NY where he was thrust into the world of dance. Growing up, Leake recognized the true essence of dance which he used to perfect his own craft and eventually, he entered the ballroom scene. There, he learned the art of vogueing from the scene kids and as fate would have it, student became teacher…quick! Later on, Willi went on to become the “mother” of his own Legendary House of Ninja, so eloquently named as the “Ninjas” showed no mercy on the dance floor and were “invisible assassins” as he explained in the 1980’s documentary, Paris Is Burning.
Ninja made his dreams come true and slayed them all in the process! In Paris Is Burning, Willi spoke his dream into existence when he said, “I want to be worldwide. I want to take voguing to the real Paris and make the real Paris burn. And not just there, but to other countries as well. My House name is Ninja and I would really like to take my whole House and go to Japan and have them accept it there. I want to be a big star known in every corner of the world.” Willi did alladat and then some! He released a single called “Hot” in 1994, danced with a few companies, did runway for famed designer Jean-Paul Gaultier (Hermès) and started the Elements of Ninja modeling agency until his death in 2006.
Dancers like Javier Ninja who is now the father of the House and Danni Polanco, who has appeared in an array of productions (Beyoncé’s Check On It, Get Me Bodied, Omarion’s Touch, The Wiz Live!), continue to carry on Willi’s legacy through dance, as that is the most precious way they could ever honor him. Many other exceptional voguers including The Xtravaganzas and Vogue Evolution have taken note of Willi Ninja’s style over the years and have incorporated it into their own styles. He really set the standard for voguing which is why many artists still study him.
His story is really inspirational and his legacy definitely flourishes through the legendary House of Ninja.
Rest in love and Happy Birthday, Willi!
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