Gay & Lesbian: Legendary Willi Ninja Hospitalized

It has come to our attention that a friend is in the hospital and the prognosis isn’t good.

Willi Ninja (“Paris is Burning” and “How Do I Look”), a legendary ballroom figure, recently stepped forward as yet another one of our beloved family members living with HIV.  Commonly referred to as the Grandfather of Vogue, he was featured in the 90’s documentary “Paris Is Burning,” which introduced the world to voguing.  Yes, it was Willi and not Madonna.

I met Willi in Los Angeles two years ago when the House of Omni held its 25^th anniversary celebration.  I remember being smitten with Willi and excited for the opportunity to meet him in person.

My thoughts are with Willi, his family, friends, and the entire ballroom community during this sad time.

Comments

[william walker]

my name is bill. me and willi were brothers from 1980 -1990.im a country boy.from mahwah nj .the ramapo mountains. i first met willi .when i was in college. i decided. that i was going to go to ny. on a whim. the first place i stopped was grenage village. washington park. i had never been ther before, and i was alone. willi and his friends.were singing. when i sat down they all said hi.so i said hi. willi said ,whats up country. i said what . he said i can tell that youre from the country. by the way youre dressed. people in the city dont dress like that unless there homeless. and you dont look homeless.so from that day on .we became friends. best freinds. for ten years. we use to hang out at uncle charleys. down by the pears. he would visit. me and my family.,and wife and daughter. willi was her god father. i loved willis mom . when i was in the city she was my mom to. i will love willi .for all my days, and for people that have anything bad to say about willi. im sorry that you never had the chance to touch people the way that willi did. there are alot of people that love him. i will always love him.....bill

[sheldon]

willie will be missed, you left a pair of shoose that noone can fill. he was one of a kind. the nyc gay communtiy and the gay community around the world miss him. sunday was the anniversary of the passiong of a legendary figure. as a hiv pos person he was and will always with be a role model for me.

[WShade]

Thanks for the tribute. Momma would be touched and a little bit amused at the turnout both on and offline to his death. I can almost hear him chuckling..."Silly monkeys!"

[joey alvarado]

Just came across this website cause a friend and I were watching Wigstock The Movie and they showed willi Ninja, My friend asked who was Willie and I GAGED! So I googled willi's name and this came up.
I met Willie in the early 90's not really sure how I met him I just remember always saying hi to him and he would say Oh hello miss Joey..LOL
Then I remember he used to hang out at Uncle Charlie's all the time and would Vogue in there, the last time I saw him was at a party at happy Valley for a NEXT Mag party, he looked so small not like the Willie I knew and met in the 90's. I guess this awful disease was taking over, anyway Willie I love you and you will be missed. It was always nice to see you cause you were always so nice and you always TURNED IT ON THE FUCKING DANCE FLOOR DARLIN" The kids couldn't take it!!

joey alvarado

[chef]

i grew up in nyc in the late 80's & ballroom and club life was the best its ever been or will be. pepper labeja, octavia legrand, willi ninja, paris dupree, anjie extravaganza and so on were the best of the best of new york night life. willi will be missed as the father of vouge. he made it possible for vouging to transend to main stream america. his death is a great loss to the lgbt community. vouge on in eternity willi & give the anjels face.

[Nikki]

I really didn't know much about Willi, but I have seen him perform at a few fashion parties (the most recent at Patricia Fields after party last year) and he and his entourage were amazing. They made vogueing look easy (I've tried myself b/c of that, can't do it!). I know I'm a little late with this, but it's always sad to hear someone pass away, especially of something like AIDS. He was a wonderful dancer.

[Gala]

You will be missed!

[Gala]

My deepest condolences to The entire community and house industry : ( . He will always be remember in my heart . I have fond memories of him @ Cafe con Leche and of course @ The Sound Factory.

May his soul rest in peace.

Always-Gala

[Sasha Xtravaganza]

I KNEW WILLIE NINJA SINCE THE MID 70'S WHEN WE USE TO VOGUE AT THE COCKRING NIGHTCLUB IN NYC.IAM FROM QUEENS LIKE HE IS AND HE ALWAYS ADMIRED MY FEROCIOUS ABILITY FOR ARM CONTROL WHICH I LEARNED FROM AN OLD FRIEND THE LEGENDARY "FLACA" AT THE PIERS.I TAUGHT WILLIE ALOT OF WHAT HE KNEW WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL AND WE USE TO READ EACH OTHER FOR FILTH FOR DAYS AT PARTIES WHEN WE BECAME LEGENDS IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES.I THEN STOPPED VOGUING AS HE CONTINUED AND PROCEEDED TO WORK ON THE MONES AND NOW I LIVE AS A HOUSEWIFE IN HERE CONNETICUT AND MY SUMMER HOME IN MIAMI FLORIDA.MY HUSBAND IS A WEALTHY WELL KNOWN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER AND HE WOULD KILL ME IF HE KNEW MY LITTLE SECRET.IAM GRIEVING FOR WILLIE IN PRIVATE AND ITS KILLING ME.I LOVE YOU MAMA.YOURS FOREVER "SASHA MOSKOWITZ"
(EDDIE)GUTTIEREZ

[Joey]

Willie you weill be missed but your spirit will forever remain. the spirit..(l'esprit d'amour pour la fin du temps)

[Carl Bellinger]

Rest in peace Willie, i will never forget the pier in 1987. watchin' you work it!
allmfrightgodamit!

[joey]

Too many talented people have left us way too soon. Anyone who says this disease is over or mangeable is crazy. Lets keep up the fight so we dont lose any more Willi Ninjas, we cant afford to. RIP

[JazzMama]

God Bless You Willi Ninja. May You Rest In Peace For All Eternity.

[Aaron "Enigma" Brown]

I just really can't believe it.

My first exposure to Willi was in the "Deep In Vogue" video, and I wondered, "What are those girls doing?". It was artsy, bizarre, and subversive... right up my alley. But then the lights illuminated the silhouettes, and I GAGGED. They weren't girls, they were GUYS! Willi Ninja, Aldonna Field and Adrian Magnifique. I was in awe, and that's when the research started...

I met Willi over the phone, when I was going to go to NYC to attend and walk my first ball. A mutual friend still had his number and suggested I talk to him regarding what to expect for my first time. Now mind you, he didn't know me from Harry the Hatband, but he took time out to tell me what I needed to know, and in essence oriented me into a community I had only heard about. That always stuck with me. So when he contacted me years later to tell me he would be working a gig in Chicago, I was totally honored to help show him the town. That started one of those friendships where you don't see each other all the time, but you never forget the impression left.

I was elated to see the personable smile and hug when he came to Chicago years later for the "How Do I Look" screening and lecture series. Then off to the afterparty at a predominantly straight venue... but did this stop Willi? No. He made his typical grand entrance, huge bamboo and silk fan "frrrrrrrumping" open and commanding the attention of all, who just figured it was a celebrity that they weren't up on, come to rub elbows with their pseudo-kind.

I can't even deal with this at the moment. I would just rather remember Willi as I knew him: a true legend that didn't have to give himself a title. He truly earned the respect of people WORLDWIDE, and we should all aspire to his legacy. R.I.P. William Leake, aka Willi Ninja.

[Warren]

I am very saddened by the loss of this wonderful man and entertainer.

He was always very nice to me, and, even though I was not in his circle of everyday friends, whenever I stopped to say hello to him, he always took a moment to talk to me. He would always remember my face, but could never remember my name.

He always mesmerized me at the balls, as well as on the dancefloor, and his presence will truly be missed.

I wish him, as well as the ones that was touched by his life, peace and blessings.

Blessed Be!

Warren Dutton

[Elijah]

I met Willie through a friend of his from way back with they were in school. This person saw pictures of me and at the time Willie was working for EON. Before I knew it Willie was flying me to NY. That was the start of a wonderful friendship. I stayed with him and his mother Esther and I had a most wonderful time. Willie INSISTED on cooking every night for me and his mom as he always did take care of his mother. Those memories of me being there with him in NYC and him coming to Louisiana will NEVER be forgotten. I still can't believe he is gone. Willie was so different in such a beautiful way and he tried to and DID help so many people. To those that have done wrong to Willie, thats ok because he knew who his real friends were. To all of you who loved and were there for him he loves you so much for it. God bless you Willie, enjoy your eternal peace in Heaven.

[Desmond Cadogan]

Willi was a beautiful person inside and out. I met him on a job in the very early 90's in Paris and watched him Vogue on stage with Iman. It was indeed magical. He was an absolute angel to many people with kindness and generosity you just don't see very often. I remember being very intimidated by "Voguers" and people from that world in the early days but he changed all that for me. He was NEVER shady or mean. He was lovely and I will certainly miss him.

[Fiore Rayge Ninja]

I met willi a few years back when Wolfgang put out part 2 of Paris is Burning entitle How Do I Look. He came to Chgo lookin fab and we had a good time and hung out afterward. This legaend of not only the ballroom community but in life will truly be missed.

[Oso Raro]

Alex, It wasn't Taylor, it was the one following him. Why do these people come on here to spread hate? It is disgusting!

[alex gomez]

why is there a blog posted by taylor silwue bashing our legendary mother!! isnt it enuff that we lost one of our great sisters to aids!! to have some gay bashing,self-hating uneducated west indian ignoramous bashing willie is unforgiving aids is a terrible disease which affect both str8 and gays it can happen to anyone and lets just hope hes not on the dl and hes using condoms because he who lives in glass houses should not throw stones

[Ceazealeo Westwood]

Rest in peace, Willi. I will always remember the times we spent at ur house when u cooked for us. U will definitely be missed.

[Rico]

I met willie back in 86, and I have to truely say, that he never changed in his ways, he said he would fly and reach his dreams and he did. He will be truly missed.

Fly Willie Your Free.

God Bless You...

[charles]

Long Live Willi Ninja! He will be remembered as an innovator and a genius. To watch him dance was like watching a magician. His legend will never die! I will light a candle for my brother as he rises.

[Joze - cavalli Ninja]

Willi has always been a very kind hearted person, and to this day, he still shines brightly. Willi saved me, along time ago from destroying myself, my life, and my future. I owe everything to him. My heart and prayers are with him, my family (House of Ninja) his family and friends. I Love you willi! Always!

Cavalli

[Thunderwing]

I know very little about Willi actually, just what I've heard on "Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern," but I am terribly saddened to hear he's hospitalised with HIV. I remember a few months back when Jonny mentioned that Willi was at the club Jonny was at and was vogueing. Not for money, just for fun. It made Jonny's night, and that story makes me smile. :) My prayers go out to all of you, and especially Willi.