Most people dream of proposing at the top of the Empire State Building. Few would dare climb its towering spire 1,454 feet above the streets of Manhattan to do it.
That is exactly what Angela Nikolau (33) and Ivan Kuznetsov, better known online as Ivan Beerkus (32), did this week. The Russian daredevil couple scaled the restricted antenna of one of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers, unfurled a peace banner, shared a kiss, and got engaged before being arrested by the New York Police Department (NYPD).
What made the proposal even more symbolic was the banner they carried. As they stood atop the skyscraper, they displayed a black flag carrying the message:
“When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
The breathtaking visuals quickly went viral across social media. Videos captured the couple balancing on the narrow steel framework near the building’s antenna while helicopters and police drones circled overhead. For several minutes, they remained perched hundreds of metres above New York before beginning their descent.
Who are Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus?
For fans of extreme urban climbing, the pair are already global celebrities. Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus have spent years travelling the world scaling some of its tallest skyscrapers, cranes, bridges, and unfinished towers often without any safety equipment. Their daring adventures have taken them to China, Malaysia, France, and the United States, earning millions of followers across social media.
Their extraordinary relationship was even documented in the acclaimed 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed both their romance and their passion for rooftopping, the practice of illegally climbing tall structures.
How did they pull it off?
Authorities are still investigating exactly how the couple managed to access the maintenance-only sections of the Empire State Building. Reports suggest they reached areas well beyond the public observation deck before climbing onto the antenna spire itself, a section completely closed to visitors.
The stunt raised immediate concerns about security at one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.
Were they arrested?
Yes. As soon as the pair climbed down, NYPD officers took them into custody. They were later arraigned on several charges, including:
- Burglary
- Reckless endangerment
- Criminal trespass
- Criminal mischief
- Criminal tampering
- Disorderly conduct
- Possession of burglar’s tools
According to reports, the couple spent the night in custody before appearing in a New York court.
The Empire State Building also responded to the incident with a touch of humour, noting that anyone wishing to propose could simply book its official proposal package instead of climbing the antenna.
Romantic or Reckless?
The internet has remained divided.
Many social media users described the proposal as one of the most breathtaking engagements ever filmed, praising the couple’s courage and the symbolism behind the peace banner.
Others pointed out that the climb placed not only the pair but also emergency responders at risk. Illegal rooftopping has claimed lives across the world, and authorities argue that such stunts encourage dangerous copycat attempts.
A Love Story the Internet Won’t Forget
For Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, heights have always been part of their relationship. Their proposal wasn’t just another viral moment; it was the latest chapter in a love story built on adrenaline, trust, and a shared passion for pushing boundaries.
Whether remembered as a breathtaking declaration of love or an extraordinarily risky act, one thing is certain: their engagement has become one of the year’s most talked-about moments, proving that sometimes the greatest love stories quite literally reach new heights.
