Daredevil couple scale Empire State Building and unfurl protest banner at very top before dramatic proposal
Two masked daredevils climbed to the top of the Empire State Building with a protest banner on Wednesday, before one dropped to a knee for a dramatic proposal.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Vanya Beerkus, 32, a Russian couple who have starred in a Netflix documentary, scaled the spire of the New York City landmark, which reaches a staggering 1,454 feet.
As they clung on, the daredevils flew a banner which read: ‘When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.’
The message appeared to be a modified quote from British politician William Gladstone, and is often misattributed to the rock star Jimi Hendrix.
After flying the banner at around noon, the climbers began to descend just after 12.30pm, before reaching a lower platform where Beerkus dropped down to one knee and proposed.
Nikolau appeared to say ‘yes’ to the astonishing proposal, as a helicopter circling the building captured the couple embracing and they removed their masks to share a kiss. The influencer posted a video of herself atop the Empire State Building at around midday.
The stunt couple, who are known for climbing skyscrapers, starred in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
A pair of masked daredevils were spotted climbing to the very top of the Empire State Building in New York City on Wednesday
A daredevil influencer, Angela Nikolau, posts videos of herself scaling tall buildings while donning a black cat-face covering. She is often filming with musician Vanya Beerkus
After they began their descent at around 12.30pm, Beerkus proposed to Nikolau on a lower deck of the spire, and she appeared to say yes as the pair embraced and shared a kiss
Nikolau has posted herself scaling tall buildings and performing hair-raising acts while donning a black cat-face covering.
She is often videoed and pictured atop the terrifyingly tall buildings with musician Beerkus.
Nikolau posted a series of photos of the couple shortly after the stunt, including a snap of the proposal and of her flashy new diamond ring.
The New York City Police Department was at the scene and the pair were taken into custody at around 1pm, CBS News reported.
Sources told the outlet that the pair may face charges including trespassing and reckless endangerment.
Tourists and onlookers gazed up in astonishment at what was unfolding above them as the Empire State Building’s observation deck was quickly cleared.
Witness Julie Morris told the outlet: ‘We were right at the top. I could see two people open the gates – the mesh gates – and they went up to the top.
‘I just assumed they were allowed up there.’
On the street below the iconic building, police had taped off the area and closed the street.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Join the discussion
Would you ever risk your life for a proposal or a protest?
Nikolau posted a series of photos of the pair atop the Empire State Building, including a snap of the proposal and her flashy diamond ring
Nikolau shared a video of herself on top of the Empire State Building at around midday
As the couple were seen clinging to the building’s spire, the pair flew a banner which read: ‘When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace’
Tourists and onlookers gazed up in astonishment at the scene unfolding above them, as the Empire State Building’s observation deck was quickly cleared
The New York City Police Department was at the scene and the couple were arrested at around 1pm
