Willi Ninja is the Godfather of Vogue

Feb. 29, 2024 – 01:38 – This year for Black History Month, we here at theGrio are Keeping Black History Alive by celebrating Black Pioneers in America that have impacted arts and Entertainment. We’re continuing Keeping Black History Alive by honoring Willi Ninja, also known as the Godfather of Voguing. Willi architected his distinctive style of vogue pulling inspiration from Runway catwalks, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and martial arts. He refined his style by practicing at The Christopher Street Piers, a cultural site for Ballroom history in New York City. He participated in Harlem’s drag balls with House of Ninja, the ball house he founded. It became a community and home for LGBTQ youth. Like other ball houses, the House of Ninja was a combination of extended social family and dance troupe, with Ninja as its Mother. He taught his children late into the night on the old Christopher Street pier and at the underground clubs. His participation in the 1990 documentary, Paris is Burning, assisted him in creating commercial success for himself. He would influence celebrities like Madonna and dance for Janet Jackson.