A daring stunt high above Manhattan, New York, has set social media buzzing after a couple climbed the Empire State Building on Wednesday, 1 July. They secured a pro-peace banner to the structure, and capped the moment with a surprise proposal. The message read: 'When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.'
The photos quickly spread online, showing the pair on top of one of New York's most iconic skylines in a scene that looked straight out of a movie — until the internet weighed in.
The Empire State Building rises to around 1,454 feet (443.2 metres) at its tip, making it one of the tallest and most heavily secured landmarks in the US. It's also one of the most recognisable, which is exactly why any unauthorised access or climbing attempt instantly draws global attention and, in this case, a wave of controversy.
Social Media Divided Over Sky-High Stunt
As the images and videos circulated, reactions split fast.
Some users were genuinely impressed, calling the moment a bold mix of adrenaline and romance. For them, the proposal added an unexpected twist to what already looked like a high-risk, high-reward stunt.
The woman also shared her own point-of-view photos, including a close-up of her hand showing an engagement ring. Online users were also stunned by her perfectly done nails, with one commenting: 'Girl, I'm impressed you did that with your nails!'
But not everyone was celebrating.
A large portion of commenters criticised the stunt as reckless, pointing out the obvious safety risks involved in climbing a skyscraper of this scale. Others were far less impressed with the banner itself, saying it was impossible to read from the ground and therefore lost its impact.
On social media, comments included: 'Banner for ants' and 'Can't read any of this.'
Given the Empire State Building's sheer height and dense surrounding skyline, visibility from street level is extremely limited for small objects placed near its upper structure. In fact, most of the clear images circulating online appear to have been taken using long-range lenses by media outlets rather than bystanders on the street.
Who Are the Viral Climbers?
The couple who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building spire have been identified as Ivan 'Vanya' Beerkus and Angela Nikolau, two of the most recognisable names in the world of rooftop climbing.
They're also the pair featured in Netflix's 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed their relationship alongside their high-risk climbs across some of the world's tallest buildings.
But despite the obvious cinematic feel of the stunt, reports confirm it wasn't part of any filming or Netflix project. It appears to have been carried out independently, in line with their long history of urban climbs that have repeatedly drawn global attention.
Beerkus and Nikolau have spent years building a reputation (and a massive online following) through breathtaking — and often controversial — rooftop photography on skyscrapers around the world. Their latest climb once again pushed them into the spotlight, triggering a police response and sparking fresh debate online about the risks, legality, and allure of extreme urban exploration.
Beerkus and Nikolau were later apprehended by New York authorities.
