Two masked daredevils climbed to the top of New York City's Empire State Building on July 1, 2026, in a hair-raising stunt that culminated in an extreme marriage proposal. The couple scaled the lightning rod at the summit of the iconic skyscraper, reaching the very tip of the antenna and spire at 1,454 feet (443 metres), before unfurling a cryptic protest banner that read: 'When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.'
Daring Ascent and Proposal
New Yorkers at street level caught glimpses of the couple as they climbed the rod and clung to it for several minutes. Tourists on the observation deck below watched before the area was cleared shortly after midday local time. Eventually, the pair descended to a lower level below the radio mast, where one person—presumed to be a man, dressed in a black top and trousers—dropped to one knee. He appeared to propose to the woman, who removed her mask, and they kissed following the extreme proposal.
According to ABC News, the couple was later taken into police custody. While their identities have not been officially confirmed, the stunt has been linked to artist Angela Nikolau, a Russian rooftopper known for scaling skyscrapers and posting about it on social media. A post appeared on the influencer's Instagram account with images of the stunt, and her story, said to be posted by an assistant, stated: 'Currently at the Empire State Building, you can watch on the city webcam.'
Connections to Netflix Documentary
One of the posts tagged Ivan Beerkus, a Russian musician and Nikolau's boyfriend. The couple appeared in a 2024 Netflix documentary titled Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicles their high-altitude adventures.
Historical Context of the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building was erected in a record-breaking 13 months in the aftermath of the Great Depression. When it opened in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world, a title it held for 40 years. The building remains one of New York City's most iconic landmarks, drawing millions of visitors annually to its observation decks.
