On July 1, 2026, Vanya Beerkus and Angela Nikolau were arrested after a daring marriage proposal stunt atop the Empire State Building in New York City. The couple, dressed in black, unfurled a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” from the iconic skyscraper’s antenna, approximately 443 meters (1,454 feet) above ground.
Details of the Stunt
Video captured by a news helicopter showed the couple appearing to kiss while on the antenna. It remains unclear how they accessed this restricted area, as it is located well above the public spaces of the 102-story building. Police body camera footage revealed an officer climbing a ladder to reach the couple. “How are you doing?” he asked as he approached them, adding, “Well, you can’t be up here.”
Background on the Couple
Beerkus and Nikolau, both Russian nationals, gained some fame after appearing in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which highlighted their passion for “rooftopping,” an urban sport involving climbing high buildings. Dmitriy Nikolau, Angela’s father and a circus artist, expressed no concern regarding the stunt, stating, “Why should I be worried? I climb up roofs myself.”
Empire State Building's Response
An Empire State Building spokesperson labeled the climb an “unauthorized incident.” They suggested that the couple should have opted for the building’s official engagement package, the $1,000 “Happily Ever Empire Proposal Package,” to celebrate their engagement safely. The incident raises questions about security measures at one of the world's most famous landmarks.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
