Published: July 2, 2026 | TrenBuzz.com
Key Points – Empire State Building Climbers
- Netflix Skywalkers stars Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus climbed the Empire State Building on July 1, 2026
- The couple unfurled a pro-peace banner at the very top of the antenna, 1,454 feet above New York City
- Ivan Beerkus got down on one knee and proposed to Angela Nikolau at the top before they descended
- Both were arrested and charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass and more
- The duo secretly hid inside the building overnight after entering as regular visitors the day before
- Investigators believe the motive was to generate publicity for a second Netflix documentary
New York City just witnessed one of the most daring, jaw-dropping stunts in the history of the Empire State Building, and it ended with a “yes,” a ring, and a pair of handcuffs.
On July 1, 2026, two people dressed in black were spotted climbing to the very top of the Empire State Building’s transmission tower in Midtown Manhattan. The people climbing the Empire State Building were quickly identified as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, the Russian daredevil couple widely known as the Skywalkers, famous for their 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story.”
How the Empire State Building Climbers Pulled Off Their Daring Stunt
The couple did not just walk in and climb. The duo entered the building as regular visitors the day before the stunt and hid inside after closing, with building security camera footage showing the pair hiding in the observatory complex overnight.
In the pre-dawn hours of July 1, Nikolau was caught on video popping out of a hatch on the 103rd floor, a floor not open to the public. The pair then maneuvered around a gate and cut two locks on the 104th floor to reach the top of the antenna.
At the very top, just after noon, the couple unfurled a large black banner with white letters reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” The banner on the Empire State Building was visible from across the city and was captured live by news helicopters hovering over New York.
Then came the moment no one expected. Ivan Beerkus dropped to one knee and proposed to Angela Nikolau at the top of the Empire State Building, more than 1,454 feet above the streets of New York. She said yes, put on her ring, and wore it all the way back down.
Empire State Building Proposal Ends in Arrest for Skywalkers Couple
The NYPD’s elite Emergency Services Unit responded immediately. At least two ESU officers were harnessed in and climbed up to meet the two people on the Empire State Building at the spire, placing them both into custody just before 1 p.m. without any resistance.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus now each face a serious list of charges. They were charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.
Investigators believe the motive behind the couple climbing the Empire State Building was to generate social media buzz and interest in a potential second Netflix documentary. Both were posting live to their social media accounts from the top while the NYPD was on its way.
The Empire State Building issued a statement saying there was no danger to visitors at any point and noted, with a hint of dry humor, that their observation deck “does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals.”
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus are not new to this kind of stunt. Known worldwide as the Skywalkers, the couple has scaled skyscrapers in China, Malaysia, Miami, and across Europe, often without any ropes or safety equipment.
Whether you call it rooftopping, love, or pure madness, one thing is certain. Their Empire State Building proposal will be talked about in New York for years to come.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. TrenBuzz.com does not promote or encourage illegal trespassing, building climbing, or any dangerous activity. All information is based on publicly available reporting as of July 2, 2026. Readers are encouraged to verify all details through official and credible news sources.