Most people stick to a nice restaurant or a scenic beach when they want to pop the question. Some might splurge on a helicopter ride or a fancy rooftop lounge. But on July 1, 2026, a couple decided that wasn't nearly dramatic enough. They bypassed security checkpoints, scaled the 1,454-foot spire of the Empire State Building with zero safety gear, unfurled a massive peace banner, and got engaged right at the top.
Then the police showed up.
If you saw the wild footage floating around social media, you probably wondered how anyone could pull off a stunt like that in a city as locked down as New York. It turns out the daredevils weren't just random tourists looking for an adrenaline rush. They're seasoned professionals who built an entire career on defying gravity and breaking the law. But this time, their romantic sky-high moment ended with a trip to a central booking cell.
The High Altitude Stunt That Stopped Manhattan Traffic
It all started around noon on a crisp Wednesday. Onlookers down on the streets of Midtown Manhattan noticed two figures dressed entirely in black moving up the spindly metal transmission tower atop the skyscraper. To the horror of tourists watching from the official observation decks below, the pair had no ropes, no harnesses, and no safety tethers. They were clinging to the latticework by their fingertips, hundreds of feet above the concrete.
Once they reached a stable point on the antenna, they unrolled a large black banner. Written in bold white letters was a quote frequently tied to Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
They didn't just stand there to make a political statement. After waving to the crowds below, Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, dropped down on one knee. He pulled out a ring and proposed to his longtime partner, 33-year-old Angelina Nikolau. She accepted, took off her mask, and the two shared a kiss while an NYPD helicopter hovered just yards away.
The spectacle completely halted normal operations at the historic landmark. Security teams immediately shut down access to the upper viewing platforms, leaving hundreds of ticket holders stuck on the lower floors. On the streets below, emergency vehicles packed the blocks around 20 West 34th Street, and the NYPD Emergency Service Unit prepared for a highly dangerous high-altitude extraction.
Inside the World of Extreme Rooftopping
To anyone unfamiliar with the underground world of extreme urban climbing, this looked like a sudden act of madness. But Ivan and Angelina, who go by Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau online, are famous for this exact brand of high-stakes romantic daredevilry. They have spent years accumulating over a million followers by climbing some of the tallest structures on the planet without permission.
You might even recognize them from your television screens. The couple was the core focus of the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which tracked their death-defying exploits and the evolution of their relationship. They have scaled the 2,227-foot Merdeka 118 in Malaysia, slipped past security to climb mega-tall cranes in China, and regularize kissing on the edges of dizzying drop-offs.
For them, this isn't just a reckless hobby. They view it as a form of performance art. They plan these climbs for months, analyzing building layouts, tracking security patrol shifts, and using cameras to capture perfect, terrifying imagery that goes viral instantly. Just two days prior to the New York climb, Nikolau had posted videos from another Manhattan high-rise to celebrate her birthday. They live on the edge, and they explicitly acknowledge the constant threat of jail time as part of their lifestyle.
Bypassing World Class Security
The biggest question on everyone's mind is simple. How on earth did they get up there?
The Empire State Building is one of the most heavily secured commercial buildings in the world. Visitors have to pass through airport-style security screenings, metal detectors, and x-ray machines. Bags are thoroughly searched, and items like masks, costumes, and oversized packages are strictly prohibited. Yet, the couple managed to smuggle in a massive banner, heavy camera gear, and masks right under the noses of the security staff.
According to preliminary law enforcement reports, the couple bought standard tickets to the 102nd-floor observation deck. Once there, they kept a close eye on the staff. Witness Julie Morris reported seeing the two slip through a mesh gate leading to an off-limits zone. Because they weren't wearing their masks yet, Morris assumed they were maintenance workers or building personnel who had authorization to be there.
From that restricted area, they managed to access a locked maintenance hatch on the 103rd floor. That particular floor is entirely closed to the public and is generally used for water tower upkeep and communication tower access. They forced the hatch open, stepped out into the open air, and began their vertical ascent up the radio and television transmission tower.
While the building management later issued a statement insisting the incident didn't endanger anyone inside the skyscraper, it highlights a glaring gap in how elite landmarks handle internal security. Slipping through an authorized gate should not be that easy for anyone with a ticket.
The Heavy Legal Cost of Internet Fame
The romantic magic faded quickly once the couple started climbing down the antenna structure around 12:35 p.m. Waiting for them at a lower platform were heavily equipped officers from the NYPD Emergency Service Unit wearing hard hats and safety harnesses.
Bodycam footage released by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch showed a remarkably calm interaction, considering the danger of the situation. An officer climbed up a ladder to meet the descending couple, saying, "Hello! How're you doing? Can you just stay where you are? Well, you can't be up here."
An off-camera voice simply responded, "We are engaged."
The couple didn't resist. They climbed down, allowed themselves to be handcuffed, and walked out of the building in police custody. But the state of New York isn't treating this as a harmless lovers' prank. The legal book is being thrown at them.
Both individuals face an extensive list of serious criminal charges, including:
- Burglary: Entering a restricted, locked part of a structure with the intent to commit a crime or violation.
- Reckless Endangerment: Engaging in conduct that creates a grave risk of death or serious physical injury to themselves, officers, or people below.
- Criminal Trespass: Remaining unlawfully in a highly restricted commercial space.
- Possession of Burglar's Tools: Carrying specialized tools used to bypass the 103rd-floor maintenance locks.
- Criminal Mischief and Criminal Tampering: Modifying or damaging property to gain unauthorized access.
- Disorderly Conduct: Causing a massive public disruption that impacted thousands of tourists and city resources.
While their fans on social media are cheering the proposal as legendary, the reality of the New York legal system means they could be looking at genuine jail time, massive fines, and potential deportation issues given their international status.
Better Ways to Experience the Skyline Safely
If you're planning your own New York proposal or just want to see the city from jaw-dropping heights, please don't copy the Skywalkers. You don't need to risk a criminal record or a fatal fall to get an unforgettable view.
The Empire State Building actually has an official, completely legal proposal package. It gives you guided VIP access to the 86th and 102nd floors, a private corner of the observation deck, and a celebratory bottle of champagne. It's expensive, but it doesn't involve handcuffs.
Alternatively, you can check out newer observation decks that offer incredible open-air thrills without the legal drama. Edge at Hudson Yards features a glass floor jutting out into the sky and an experience called City Climb, where you can lean over the edge of the skyscraper while securely strapped into a world-class safety harness. Top of the Rock offers a classic, unobstructed view of Central Park and the Empire State Building itself, giving you a better backdrop for photos than being stuck on the actual antenna.
The internet points might feel rewarding for a fleeting moment. But spending your engagement night in a holding cell while lawyers argue over burglary charges ruins the vibe. Keep your feet on the authorized observation platforms.
If you plan to visit the historic skyscraper soon, double-check the local schedules and operational updates. Landmark security is bound to get significantly tighter following this breach, so expect longer lines and stricter screening processes at the door. Give yourself an extra hour to get through the lobby lines so you don't miss your sunset window.
Empire State Building Arrest Video
This news report provides an immediate look at the aftermath of the stunt, detailing the police response and showing the couple as they were taken into custody by New York authorities.
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