Netflix Daredevil Couple Charged With Felonies After Empire State Building Stunt
The daredevil couple who stunned New York City by scaling the Empire State Building‘s antenna for a sky-high marriage proposal are now facing a long list of criminal charges. Ivan Kuznetsov (also known as Beerkus) and Angela Nikolau appeared in court Thursday after authorities accused them of illegally accessing restricted areas of one of the world’s most famous buildings before climbing thousands of feet above Manhattan. The pair, who gained international attention through Netflix’s “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” allegedly carried out the stunt to celebrate their engagement.
Prosecutors Say The Climb Was Planned As A Proposal
Sources told ABC News that Nikolau and Kuznetsov entered the Empire State Building as regular visitors Tuesday evening after purchasing tickets to the observation deck. Rather than leaving when the attraction closed, authorities believe the pair secretly remained inside overnight. At approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday, security cameras allegedly captured the couple emerging through a hatch on the building’s 102nd floor as they continued making their way toward the restricted antenna area.
Authorities allege the pair then climbed the Empire State Building’s 1,454-foot broadcast antenna before unfurling a black banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” After displaying the banner, the couple reportedly descended to a lower ledge where Beerkus proposed to Nikolau high above the New York City skyline.
Photos later shared on social media showed the engagement ring and proposal taking place hundreds of feet above the city below.
As the legal fallout continues, members of the couple’s family have offered a different perspective on the controversial climb. Speaking to ABC News, Nikolau’s father, Dmitry Nikolau, claimed the pair were already married before the proposal took place.
He also described the highly publicized climb as a “performance,” suggesting the event may have been intended as more than just a traditional marriage proposal.
The Romantic Gesture Quickly Turned Into An Arrest
While the proposal generated viral attention online, law enforcement officials viewed the situation much differently.
According to reports, emergency personnel were forced to wait approximately 30 minutes for the antenna to be powered down before beginning a rescue operation. Emergency Services Unit officers eventually intercepted the couple while they were descending from the structure.
Investigators also allegedly discovered a broken lock on a security door leading to the building’s restricted-access 104th floor, an area that provides access to the antenna and is not open to the public.
Authorities subsequently charged Beerkus and Nikolau with felony reckless endangerment, burglary, and several additional offenses.
Netflix Daredevils Are No Strangers To Dangerous Climbs
Long before their Empire State Building arrest, Kuznetsov and Nikolau built a global following through videos documenting their climbs of skyscrapers and landmarks around the world.
The pair became the focus of Netflix’s 2024 documentary, “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which chronicled both their relationship and their passion for extreme urban exploration.
Known for scaling massive structures without safety equipment, the couple has attracted millions of viewers online through their high-risk adventures.
The Couple Remains Defiant Following Their Arrest
After spending Wednesday night in custody, the Russian nationals appeared in Manhattan criminal court Thursday.
Although they largely remained quiet while leaving the courthouse, Beerkus briefly addressed reporters. “We believe in love,” he said.
Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, also defended the proposal while speaking to the media. “What a way to propose, something you can only dream of,” Krinsky said. “So you’ve got to, you know, give him some credit for that.”
Empire State Building Responds To The Viral Stunt
Following the incident, representatives for the Empire State Building emphasized that visitors and tenants were never in danger.
In a statement provided after the climb, a spokesperson described the situation as an “unauthorized incident” that was resolved through cooperation with the NYPD. “There was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests,” the spokesperson said.
The representative also pointed out that couples hoping for a memorable engagement don’t necessarily need to break the rules. “It is to be emphasized that the Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the World’s Most Famous Building in the center of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals.”
For now, the couple’s breathtaking engagement story has become both a viral sensation and a criminal case, with prosecutors arguing that their pursuit of a once-in-a-lifetime proposal came at a significant cost.
Originally published on theblast.com