Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus are no strangers to breathtaking heights, but their latest stunt has thrust them into the spotlight for reasons far beyond spectacular views. The Russian daredevils, already familiar to millions through Netflix's documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, climbed to the very top of New York City's Empire State Building, where what appeared to be a romantic proposal quickly took an unexpected turn.
Instead of celebrating an engagement, the couple were met by police after making their way back down from the skyscraper. Their dramatic display of love has since sparked widespread curiosity about who they are, how they managed to reach the building's restricted spire and why the unforgettable moment ended with multiple criminal charges.
The Netflix Daredevils Behind the Proposal
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, have built international followings by scaling some of the world's tallest buildings without safety equipment. Their daring adventures have taken them across skylines around the globe, earning both admiration and criticism for the risks they willingly take.
Their relationship became the focus of Netflix's 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed their unusual romance built around extreme urban climbing. The film introduced audiences to a couple whose idea of a date often involves standing hundreds of metres above the ground.
Long before their daring Empire State Building proposal captured global attention, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus had already earned a reputation for defying gravity at some of the world's most iconic landmarks. Here are some photos that offer a closer look at the Netflix daredevils behind the extraordinary climb.
The Proposal on the Spire
On Wednesday afternoon, the pair climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's towering 200-foot spire, reaching a height of nearly 1,500 feet above New York City. Wearing dark clothing and masks, they unfurled a banner reading, 'When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.'
Soon afterwards, Beerkus appeared to get down on one knee and present a ring to Nikolau. The couple embraced and kissed while helicopters circled overhead and crowds gathered below, trying to understand what was happening high above one of the world's most famous landmarks.
The Mystery Behind the Climb
Law enforcement sources believe they may have entered through a maintenance hatch on the building's 103rd floor, an area that is not open to visitors. The floor below welcomes tourists, but investigators have yet to explain how the climbers moved between the two levels.
The couple reportedly remained at the top for around ten minutes before carefully making their way back down the communications tower. Police body camera footage later showed officers calmly approaching the pair. One officer can be heard saying, 'Hello, how you doing? Can you just stay where you are? You can't be up here.' When asked what language they spoke, Nikolau replied, 'Russian'.
@mothershipsg The couple have been identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus. This is not the 1st time the pair have performed such stunts. Their social media pages reveal a history of similar daredevil stunts. As footage of the supposed proposal spread widely online, the Empire State Building's social media page responded with a playful public service announcement: "PSA: The Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the World's Most Famous Building in the centre of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals." #mothershipabroad
♬ original sound - Mothership - Mothership
Romance Turned Criminal
Whatever excitement surrounded the proposal quickly disappeared once the pair reached street level. Both were taken into police custody and now face a lengthy list of criminal charges.
These include felony burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, along with misdemeanour offences including possession of burglar's tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. Fortunately, neither climber was reported injured despite the extraordinary risks involved in reaching the top of the skyscraper.
The Building's Witty Response
Building officials confirmed the incident had been resolved with the assistance of the New York Police Department and stressed that visitors inside the landmark had never been placed in danger. They also said the unauthorised climb did not pose a risk to tenants, tourists or guests visiting the observation deck.
The spokesperson also added a light-hearted remark, pointing out that the Empire State Building Observation Deck already offers a perfectly legal setting for memorable marriage proposals. It served as a gentle reminder that couples do not need to enter restricted areas to create a special moment above New York's famous skyline.
@abc7ny Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, the daredevil couple who climbed atop the Empire State Building and got engaged, were escorted outside an NYPD precinct after being charged on Wednesday night. #news #nyc #empirestatebuilding #abc7ny
♬ original sound - ABC7NY
The Attention Around the Couple
Supporters see Nikolau and Beerkus as fearless adventurers continuing the lifestyle showcased in their Netflix documentary. Critics argue the stunt crossed the line, turning a romantic gesture into a dangerous publicity stunt that required an emergency police response.
Either way, their proposal has become one of the year's most extraordinary viral moments. Instead of simply announcing an engagement, the couple found themselves facing criminal charges, proving that one dramatic climb can transform a love story into an international news story almost overnight.
