“Dancer and choreographer Willi Ninja has died at the age of 45 from suspected AIDS related illnesses. Ninja, a key character on the New York City nightclub scene, choreographed Madonna’s Vogue video, sang on Malcolm McLaren’s song Deep In Vogue and starred as himself in iconic 1990 film Paris is Burning, a documentary about New York drag nights. The 45-year-old ‘Godfather of Vogue’ was hospitalised last month (Aug06) and passed away on Saturday (02Sep06). (Contact.Music.com)”
Paris is Burning is a film that affected me deeply. I knew some of the people in it (not Willi, unfortunately) and always feel a pang when I see it (I need to get the DVD and watch it again). Vogue on, Willi.