Willi Ninja vogue: Who is the godfather of Vogue?

Late dance icon Willi Ninja is referred to as the “godfather of voguing”, a name which he earned for his unique dancing style and body movements.

Ninja was a dancer and choreographer, born on April 12, 1961. He had caught the eyes of the world after he appeared in Jennie Livingston’s documentary film Paris Is Burning and the 2006 documentary How Do I Look.

The films had opened many doors for Ninja, who went on to appear in dance performances with a number of troupes.

Ninja was also featured as a dancer in music videos for several iconic artistes like Janet Jackson, Malcolm McLaren, and Madonna, whose song “Vogue” was inspired by Ninja’s dancing style.

Aside from dancing, Ninja landed a number of modelling jobs and performed with dance companies under Karole Armitage. He also served as a choreography instructor to Paris Hilton at the time.

Following these, Ninja later went on to open his modeling agency, Elements of Ninja, in 2004.

Outside of entertainment, Ninja was a key figure in LGBTQ community, and his memory is celebrated in the book “Black Sexualities”, written by Juan Battle and Sandra L. Barnes.

Ninja passed away on September 2, 2006, in New York, after battling an AIDS-related heart failure. He was aged 45.