Willi Ninja, R.I.P.
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Saturday, September 2 2006, 7:36PM
Willi Ninja, a legendary figure in the ballroom community and a star of the groundbreaking 1990 film "Paris Is Burning," has passed away. He was 45 years old. "As a friend and someone who loved him very much for all he has given us, I am really sad to write that Willi passed away this morning," Emanuel Xavier wrote on his myspace blog today.
We learned in July that Willi was hospitalized and near death. Xavier reports that when he saw Willi last Monday, he had a very high fever. "He listened and held my hand as I read the poem 'Legendary' to him from the Latex Ball program since he couldn't be at the event," Xavier reported. "We spoke over the phone on Thursday and I promised to visit him after the camping trip I never took this weekend. At least I got to tell him how much I loved him before hanging up."
"Willi had created quite a name for himself," Jasmyne Cannick wrote in a blog tribute. He will always be remembered by me as one of a kind, fierce, and fabulous." Makeupbeat.com called him "the godfather of vogueing."
Willi's presence in Paris Is Burning helped introduce students to "notions of sexuality that they had no idea ever existed," according to one blog "It's always sad when pioneers pass away," according to the Terrence Says blog. "We all come here to leave a mark on the world and Willie Ninja certainly left his," said Terrence. "Words will never convey what a great loss this is to not only the ballroom community but to his many house members past and present and his family and friends," another blogger wrote.
If you don't know Willi Ninja, you should know Willi Ninja. He helped to influence black gay culture and left a lasting impression for generations to come.
This photo of Willi Ninja was taken March 22, 2005 and posted on Flickr.com.
Funeral Services for Willi Ninja
Friday, September 8, 20067-9 pm
Roy L. Gilmore's Funeral Home
19102 Linden Boulevard
Saint Albans, Queens, NY 11412
718-529-3030
Willi Ninja News Coverage
The following is a special update from GLAAD's LGBT Communities of African Descent (COAD) Activist list for September 7, 2006.
NEWS COVERAGE
Willi Ninja, 45; Dancer Known for 'Voguing'
Associated Press
September 7, 2006
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-ninja7sep07,1,5109883.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california
Star of 'Paris is Burning' dies, Dancer Willi Ninja inspired Madonna's
'Vogue' music video
Associated Press?September 7, 2006
http://www.newyorkblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=9031
Dancer Willi Ninja dies
Advocate
September 7, 2006
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid36281.asp
Madonna's 'Vogue' Inspiration Dies
People
By Stephen M. Silverman
September 6, 2006
http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1531912,00.html
Willi Ninja, 45, Self-Created Star Who Made Vogueing Into an Art, Dies
New York Times
By LOLA OGUNNAIKE
September 6, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/06/arts/dance/06ninja.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
`Voguing' Dancer Willi Ninja Dies at 45
Associated Press
By MARCUS FRANKLIN
September 5, 2006
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/05/AR2006090501068.html
BLOG COVERAGE
Willi Ninja Remembered
Rod 2.0
September 6, 2006
http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2006/09/the_new_york_ti.html
An Appreciation: Willi Ninja, Legend (1961-2006)
Slaves of Academe
September 4, 2006
http://slavesofacademe.blogspot.com/2006/09/appreciation-willi-ninja-legend-1961.html
Strike a Pose…MakeUpBeat.com
September 3, 2006
http://makeupbeat.com/blog/2006/09/03/strike-a-pose/
Paris Still Burns: Willi Ninja (R.I.P.)
September 3, 2006
http://terrencesays.blogspot.com/2006/09/paris-still-burns-willi-ninja-rip.html
A Legend.... A Icon.... RIP
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-kOjcVF8wcb8WC67aF20aGg0-?cq=1&p=139
Sweet Dreams Willi Ninja
September 3, 2006
http://justbthat.squarespace.com/journal/2006/9/3/sweet-dreams-willi-ninja.html
Willi Ninja, R.I.P.
Keith Boykin
SEPTEMBER 2 2006
http://www.keithboykin.com/arch/2006/09/02/willi_ninja_rip
Death of a ICON
Walk 4 Me Wednesdays
http://www.walk4mewednesdays.com/nsb/viewtopic.php?t=633&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Emmanuel Xavier on Willi NInja
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog&FriendID=86594465&setonlinenow=1&setrsi=1&Mytoken=E8FF2019-7372-B6C8-F60A150B4B2D2BA342933748&setonlinenow=1&setrsi=1&Mytoken=113604C4-67F7-5CF9-A7A5105FC24119B437507260
VIDEO CLIPS
Willi Ninja - An icon, legend and friend
September 3, 2006
A montage of footage that celebrates the life of a friend I will never
forget... Willi Ninja
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivs_d8LlO6s
Vogue Classique
Energetically edited clips of all the legendary children
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2xpTCb9f7M
Deep in Vogue
August 27, 2006
Malcolm Mclaren Deep in Vogue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9KDmJQjS_0
Classic Ballroom Scene Documentaries (in which Willi Ninja appears)
Paris Is Burning
(on LOGO and also available on DVD)
This award-winning documentary offers a fascinating peek into the
glamorous world created by a community of African-American and Latino
gay men who created the famed dance "voguing". In outrageous marathon
"balls" competitors vie for top honors in categories from "evening
wear" to "realness".
http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/paris_is_burning/series.jhtml
How Do I Look
Highlights on the legends and icons life styles, their house system
and family values, every day struggles, the fierce competition on the
runway, the dance vogue, the passing of three generations of ballroom
fashion, transgender health issues & education, HOPE messages on the
battle with HIV/AIDS and how they build their confidence and self
esteem for ballroom status through the arts.
http://www.howdoilooknyc.org/
Comments conceal
Charles
September 2 2006, 8:19PM
Long live the legend that is Willi Ninja. He too now belongs to the ages..
striver
September 2 2006, 8:39PM
TO BE ABSENT FOME THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH GOD....GOD REST HIS SOUL ...LEGENDARY.........
julian
September 2 2006, 9:29PM
we have been freinds for a long time cant believe that u r gone my prayers r with your family and pray that God will bring them through u will be missed my freind
C.Lee
September 2 2006, 9:51PM
"Paris is Burning" was on television just the other day and I thought about Wili Ninja and I wondered how he was doing since I had not heard anything since he had taken sick in July. I am sorry for our loss.
Darian
September 2 2006, 10:35PM
Willi Ninja is a true legend and he will be missed. Although I was never fortunate enough to develop a personal relationship with him, I remember watching Paris is Burning as a teenager and being in awe of how he was able to express himself through movement. The control, flexibility, and grace he posessed was nothing short of amazing. Rest in peace Willi.
meme
September 3 2006, 12:14AM
Willi I remember the early early days in New York. LEGENDARY! I have been a fan forever and wish you love and blessing on your journey.
nahtanserious
September 3 2006, 1:29AM
another one of the FIXTURES at The Sound Factory in the 90's has passed. I remember him as an amazing voguer who always was approachable and friendly. He also did the door at escuelita not too long ago...
Chet
September 3 2006, 3:01AM
Willi Ninja's presence here on Earth will be missed and he shall forever reside in our hearts. I can him working the ballroom as well as gracing the stage vouging. Rest Peacefully.
THE EMPRESS
September 3 2006, 3:17AM
He is now showing the Angels how to VOGUE....
DeeJay
September 3 2006, 8:51AM
Rest in Peace, Willie Ninja.
I was introduced to you, Pepper Labeija, Dorian and company when rented "Paris is Burning" about 15 years ago. I was pleased to see that when Madonna took voguing to the masses, it created exposure for the folks who wanted to stretch their comfort zones beyond the NYC ballroom scene.
Thank you for gracing the WHOLE world with your incredible talent. You may have died young but you truly LIVED and may that spirit serve as an example to all - straight, gay, male or female.
taylor Siluwé![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
September 3 2006, 9:24AM
The spirit and force that was Willie Ninja will never die, as long as we keep his strength and unashamedly gay aura alive and growing.
DDC
September 3 2006, 5:56PM
R.I.P. Willie. He was an innovated artist who was clearly very dedicated to his entertaining craft. I love Paris is Burning. Many of the film's subjects are now gone, mostly from tragic circumstances. I wish a timely followup would've been made by the same woman, but another documentary, How Do I Look? is said to pick up where Paris left off. Rest in peace
Maurice
September 4 2006, 2:10AM
Meeting Willie at the Sound Factory and Sound Factory Bar in the early 90"s was a treat. Being in his presence, always gave me the since of one who was regal and and clear of his contribution to the movement of liberating a genaration of BLGBT persons.
he will be missed.
M
E-MAN
September 4 2006, 3:10AM
I met Willie first when I managed The Original Sound Factory and worked with him at Vinyl Saturdays. He was one of those people who was a joy to be around. I am devestated.. and I will carry him in my heart forever.
He was the definition of A LEGEND!
Tony "Da Tiga
September 4 2006, 7:59PM
Papi knowing you over the course of the years made me see the Love that could exsist in our community You My Angel were one of the people who helped to bring that Peace to us opening doors for many people,helped the world to see You and us all as real people and You Papi was a true trend setter . There will never be another you But I truly hope that your "KIDS "carry on your legacy .Your were a driving force who Did many things when times wouldn't allow us to be us .You once told me I was the perfect Gentleman with my old fashioned values, Love of a Relationship,Kisses and Hugs ,the Flowers,Cards and celebrating the holidays .My only Sadness is that I never acted up sooner to ask for your Hand .Papi know You are a Part of my Heart and You were an Angel sent my way to Believe I can truly Love again. Know as I light my White Candle and As I Bless it you will find the Peace of Mind you needed Because God Needs You ,Angels like you are so rare.Rest in Peace my Angel, you and yours will always be in my Prayers.
Javier
September 4 2006, 11:59PM
The Legendary Willi Ninja was my boyfriend for three years. I remember meeting him at Escuelita where he was working the door; introduced to me by Ms. Angel Sheridan. We spoke and chatted online for a year and half before he agreed to go on a first date with me. It sparked and not long afterwards, I proposed to him publicly at Splash, with a handful of friends as witnesses, and asked for his hand.
Willi Ninja: my beloved ex-lover; model of humanity; embodiment of kindness and hope. Master of the "read." The eternal prankster.
Despite our differences and although we were already separated, I never abandoned him. I was always there to help him when things got tough with him or Momma. He will always be in my heart because he was, and will forever be, an ICON on many levels.
WILLI... YOU WILL BE MISSED! I HAVE NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU!
Javi
CoCo Petrone
September 5 2006, 10:10AM
I knew Willie for years mostly from Cafe con Leche. He was always so nice. I will miss him terribly. Although i haven't seen him in years all my old club friends are always on my mind. Those were the best years. R.I.P I guess the heavens needed another angel and they couldn't have picked a better person for the job. I love you Willie. Gone but never forgotten. XOXOXO.
Keith Boykin
September 5 2006, 4:32PM
Thanks for all your help guys. The New York Times is planning to run a story about Willi in tomorrow's paper. And the Associated Press is planning to run a story later today.
HARMONICA SUNBEAM
September 7 2006, 9:38PM
WILLIE WAS A TRUE PIONEER IN THE BALLROOM SCENE AND QUITE A SPECIAL PERSON OUTSIDE OF IT AS WELL. WHEN A BENEFIT SHOW WAS HELD FOR ME IN MAY DUE TO MY OWN HEALTH CIRCUMSTANCES WILLIE NINJA CAME FORTH ,CO-HOSTED THE EVENT WITH FLOTILLA DEBARGE AND NEVER THOUGHT TWICE ABOUT IT. THAT KIND GESTURE ALONE I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH. LOTS OF PEOPLE SAY THEY WILL DO THINGS FOR YOU WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN BUT WILLIE WAS A MAN OF HIS WORD.
REST IN PEACE
LOVE HARMONICA