On July 1, 2026, daredevil couple Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus made headlines when they climbed to the top of the Empire State Building spire in New York City and got engaged. During their ascent, they unfurled a pro-peace banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Following the banner display, Beerkus proposed to Nikolau, who reportedly accepted.
Details of the Engagement Stunt
Nikolau and Beerkus, stars of the upcoming Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, showcased their adventurous spirit by climbing one of the world's most iconic skyscrapers. Although their engagement was not part of the documentary, it certainly captured attention. The couple's climb raised eyebrows, with some media personalities expressing concern over the safety of such a stunt.
Critics like CNN’s senior national security analyst Juliette Kayyem described the act as “performative” and warned that the couple could face legal consequences, saying, “This is egregious for about 10,000 different reasons and these people will end up in jail.”
Empire State Building's Response
In contrast to the criticism, the Empire State Building issued a statement reassuring the public about safety during the incident. The statement emphasized that there was “at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests.” The building's management highlighted their role in facilitating memorable marriage proposals.
