A couple scaled the Empire State Building’s antenna in New York City on Wednesday, showcasing a daring marriage proposal that highlighted “the power of love.” The duo, known as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, were later arrested. Their risky venture follows a history of dramatic climbs documented in “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” a 2024 Netflix film about their “rooftopping” adventures.
Dressed in black and donning masks, the climbers navigated a narrow ledge without safety gear, exchanging kisses atop the iconic skyscraper’s antenna. They unfurled a banner stating, “when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” visible atop the structure that stands 1,454 feet above midtown Manhattan.
After some time, the pair retrieved the banner and began their descent. During the climb down, one appeared to set up photography equipment and proposed marriage. Following their engagement, police approached via ladder. Body camera footage captured an officer greeting the couple with, “Well, you can’t be up here,” to which they reportedly responded, “We are engaged.”
Photos of the event surfaced on Nikolau’s social media, showcasing an engagement ring above an aerial view of Manhattan. The climbers, identified by police as Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, face charges of burglary and reckless endangerment. They awaited arraignment, though it remains uncertain if they have legal representation.
The documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story” depicts unauthorized climbs by Beerkus and Nikolau, including disguises as construction workers to access restricted structures. Details regarding their access to the Empire State Building’s antenna remain undisclosed. Building management confirmed the activity was unauthorized but assured no danger to the public.
An Empire State Building visitor, Julie Morris, saw the couple accessing the restricted area without masks, initially assuming they were employees. Observers on the ground watched the spectacle unfold, with Scottish tourist Jonathan Roman and his son witnessing the building shut down during the event. Roman noted the dramatic display ranked above mere observation deck visits.
While unauthorized ascents at the Empire State Building have occurred previously, exceptions exist, such as actor Jared Leto’s authorized climb to promote a tour in 2023.