The Russian daredevils Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, who rose to international fame through Netflix\u2019s 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, climbed the 1,454-foot antenna on Wednesday, July 1, documenting the entire stunt on Instagram. After reaching the summit, the couple revealed a large banner reading, \u201cWhen the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The breathtaking climb soon turned into a romantic milestone when Kuznetsov dropped to one knee and proposed to Nikolau at the top of the skyscraper. She accepted, and the pair celebrated with hugs and kisses before she later showed off her diamond engagement ring on Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, Nikolau had shared a link encouraging followers to watch the climb unfold live. According to reports, the pair remained atop the antenna for roughly 30 minutes before safely making their way back down. Upon reaching the building, they were taken into custody by the New York Police Department and are expected to face charges for trespassing and unauthorized climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities say the stunt involved bypassing recently installed security measures designed to prevent dangerous access to the building\u2019s upper maintenance areas. A source told the New York Post that the couple did not purchase tickets to the observation deck. Instead, they allegedly breached a secured mesh gate separating the public 102nd floor from the restricted 103rd-floor maintenance level before continuing onto the antenna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The additional barriers had reportedly been installed to discourage thrill-seekers from attempting risky selfies and unauthorized climbs. An Empire State Building spokesperson later confirmed that the incident was resolved through coordination with the NYPD and stressed that at no point were visitors or tenants placed in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building observation deck guests,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Empire State Building features observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, while the 103rd floor and antenna are reserved exclusively for maintenance personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the dramatic proposal attracted widespread attention online, many social media users were less impressed by the couple\u2019s methods than by the spectacle itself. Numerous commenters criticized the stunt as reckless, with several describing the peace message as \u201ccringe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person made a joke about the event, saying, \u201cI guess we are now taking proposals to new heights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMeaningless platitudes \u2026 the world does not work like that,\u201d one person wrote. While others thought their intentions were not just a proposal, one person posted, \u201cThey\u2019re the subjects of a Netflix series, this was the promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While another added, \u201ci\u2019m not moved a bit. they were in fact sure that they were gonna go viral and they did it out of attention seeking which is pretty cringe when you think about that, going up on the highest point of Empire State with drones flying around you and act like you didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Others questioned whether risking their lives and triggering a major emergency response was an appropriate way to deliver a symbolic message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident also disrupted visitors hoping to tour the famous skyscraper. Jonathan Roman, a tourist visiting New York from Glasgow, Scotland, told the Associated Press that he and his 15-year-old son arrived with tickets to visit the observation deck, only to find the building temporarily closed because of the ongoing police response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the inconvenience, Roman admitted the unexpected event was memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy\u2014it\u2019s like being in the movies,\u201d he said, adding that witnessing the unfolding drama was \u201cprobably more exciting than going up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nikolau and Kuznetsov are no strangers to dangerous urban climbing. The couple built a massive online following by scaling some of the world\u2019s tallest skyscrapers, cranes, and unfinished buildings without safety equipment, eventually becoming the subjects of Netflix\u2019s Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicled both their relationship and their passion for extreme rooftop adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Empire State Building has experienced similar security breaches in the past, with several climbers attempting to access restricted sections of the landmark over the years. However, officials say additional barriers and security measures have been introduced specifically to reduce the risk of unauthorized climbs like this one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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