Willi Ninja Bio: Age, Net Worth, Occupation, Spouse, Height, Wiki, Parents, Nationality

William Roscoe Leake, known by his stage name Willi Ninja, was an influential figure in the ballroom community and the pioneer of voguing, a dance style that originated in New York City’s gay ballroom scene.

He gained widespread recognition for his appearance in the 1990 documentary film Paris Is Burning, which explored the culture and traditions of the ballroom scene. Willi Ninja’s legacy continues to inspire dancers and artists in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

Profile

• Full Name: William Roscoe Leake
• Stage Name: Willi Ninja
• Born: 12 April 1961
• Died: 2 September 2006 (age 45 years)
• Birthplace: Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, United States
• 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 ballroom culture, was born on 12 April 1961 at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, United States. Raised by his mother Esther Leake, there is little information about his father or siblings.

After graduating high school, Willi decided to forgo college and instead attend beauty school. In the late 1970s, he moved to Greenwich Village, where he became a prominent figure in the ballroom scene. Despite his American nationality, Willi’s ethnicity is often associated with the LGBTQ ballroom community, while his religion is Christianity.

Career

Willi Ninja, also known as Ninja, emerged as a prominent figure from the vibrant Harlem drag ball scene of the 1980s. This underground culture provided a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves through fashion and dance.

Within this community, Ninja’s house, the House of Ninja, became renowned for its exceptional voguing talent. Ninja’s contributions helped to create and refine the dance form of voguing, characterized by sharp, angular movements inspired by high-fashion poses.

His innovative choreography and fierce performances propelled him to prominence within the ball culture, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in the art of voguing.

In addition to his impact on the ballroom scene, Willi Ninja’s talent extended beyond the dance floor. He appeared in iconic music videos such as Madonna’s Vogue, solidifying his status as a cultural icon.

He also modeled for renowned designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier and even opened his own modeling agency, coaching celebrities on 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 social media handles.

Personal Life

Willi Ninja was an incredibly talented American dancer and choreographer, known for his unique style of voguing. Despite his fame and success, he chose to keep his personal life private and did not disclose any information about his relationships to the media.

Sadly, he passed away from AIDS-related heart failure in 2006 at the young age of 45, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking dance and fierce self-expression.

Net Worth

Willi Ninja was 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 to be around $3 million, a testament to the lack of recognition and compensation for underground artists. Unfortunately, Willi’s life was cut short when he passed away from AIDS-related heart failure in 2006 at the young age of 45.