'House on Fire' star Yusef on outsiders coming into ballroom: 'You have to gain that trust'

Yusef may extend an invite into his world of ballroom, but you have to come correct.

The Overall Father of ballroom's House of Miyake-Mugler (and Rihanna's longtime hairstylist) peeled back the mystery of his community on the show "House on Fire," which airs its finale Tuesday.

"I felt that the world needed to see the other side of ballroom. We're more than just 'Legendary,' we're more than just 'Pose,' we're more than just 'Paris is Burning.' All of our stories are different," the mononymous hairstylist (whose real name is Yusef Williams), 45, previously told USA TODAY of his decision to open up his house to cameras.

Ballroom has gotten a renewed interest from outside of the underground, Black and Latino queer New York City nightclubs where it began. And while Yusef has "always been open" to allowing excellent talent into Miyake-Mugler regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and origin, the New York-based creative always comes back to the basics of the art's history.

"The most important part when you open it up to the world is also showing the integrity of it. Because as underground and as vibey ballroom is, it still needs to have that (structure). … You just can't look at it on TV and (understand)," he explains.

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The inaugural season of "House on Fire" has explored aspects of ballroom from multiple angles prior to the Mizrahi Ball. Competitor Lolita gets support from her house in ballroom and her music career; Tati and Chanel extend their expertise to help feisty newcomer Brooklyn; Roz (also known as Mr. Wonderful) mentors A.J. as the latter tries to land a spot in a house; and perhaps the biggest conflict: Yusef and Mugler's Overall Mother Exotic clashing over Leyna Bloom's return to their house after her abrupt exit. While they're navigating their personal lives, they're also getting into shape for the House of Mizrahzi's 30th anniversary ball.

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It's easy to fall in love with ballroom, Yusef says.

"I'm taking friends to balls that have never even thought of going to balls, and when they came in with me, they're literally screaming at the top of their lungs for houses that they don't even know. Ballroom just has this infectious, instant energy. You either love it or you don't but nine times out of 10 people fall in love with it," Yusef says.

However, it's hard takes work beyond the physical labor and beauty expectations for people to get their feet in front of the judges.

"You have to gain that trust," Yusef says of anyone interested in the craft from outside of the foundational culture. "We are letting you in to something that is really sacred and you have to protect it just as just as much as we do."

"House on Fire" airs its finale on July 16 on WOW Presents Plus.