The couple who made headlines after climbing the Empire State Building and staging a dramatic proposal have been identified as professional urban climbers Ivan “Vanya” Beerkus and Angela Nikolau. The pair are well known in the rooftopping community and previously starred in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
Videos shared online showed the couple standing on a narrow ledge near the top of the iconic New York City skyscraper, more than 1,400 feet above the ground. During the stunt, Beerkus appeared to propose to Nikolau while the two displayed a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
Police Respond to Unauthorized Climb
The New York Police Department responded to the incident and later took both climbers into custody. Officials said potential charges remain under review, while body camera footage released by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch showed officers responding to the scene.
According to the Empire State Building’s management, the unauthorized climb was resolved with the assistance of the NYPD. Officials also stated there was never any danger to visitors, tenants, or guests at the observation deck during the incident.
Familiar Faces to Documentary Fans
Beerkus and Nikolau gained international recognition through Skywalkers: A Love Story, a Netflix documentary that followed the couple as they completed breathtaking climbs on some of the world’s tallest structures without traditional safety equipment.
Reports indicate the latest climb was not connected to Netflix or any film production. However, the timing prompted renewed attention to the documentary, which explores both the risks of extreme urban climbing and the couple’s unconventional relationship.
Experts Warn Against Copycat Stunts
Security experts say highly publicized incidents like this can encourage others to attempt similar climbs, creating significant safety risks for both participants and emergency responders. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said building owners would likely pursue appropriate legal action to discourage future copycat attempts.
While the proposal quickly went viral across social media, authorities continue to emphasize that unauthorized climbs of high-rise buildings are illegal and extremely dangerous. Investigators are expected to determine what charges, if any, the couple will face following the incident.
