Willi Ninja, born William Roscoe Leake, was an influential figure in the underground ballroom and voguing scene in New York City. He was born on April 12, 1961, in Queens, New York, and passed away on September 2, 2006, due to complications related to AIDS.
Willi Ninja gained prominence as a dancer, choreographer, and performer. He played a significant role in popularizing voguing, a dance form that emerged from the African-American and Latinx LGBTQ+ ballroom culture. Willi Ninja’s unique style and skills helped elevate voguing from the underground scene to mainstream recognition.
He was known for his talent, charisma, and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. Willi Ninja worked with various artists, collaborated on music videos, and appeared in documentaries that shed light on the ballroom culture. His impact on the dance world and voguing continues to be recognized and celebrated to this day.