The daredevil couple who climbed the Empire State Building and got engaged at the top is making headlines again. Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus (also known as Ivan Kuznetsov) walked out of jail on July 2, 2026, and immediately shared a kiss for the cameras. The moment quickly went viral, and social media users are calling them “legends of all time”.
The couple was arrested on July 1 after scaling the 1,454-foot spire of the famous New York City landmark. They unfurled a black banner that read: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace”. Beerkus then got down on one knee and proposed to Nikolau. The entire stunt was caught on video and spread across the internet within hours.
Released from Jail After Spending the Night
The couple appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday morning wearing the same black outfits they had on during the climb. They faced multiple felony charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. Prosecutors said they broke a lock on a security door on the 104th floor to access the broadcast antenna. The damage to the lock is estimated at around $2,000.
A judge granted the couple supervised release because the charges were not bail-eligible. They did not enter a plea during their court appearance. Their lawyer, Jason Krinsky, said the district attorney’s office “overcharged” the case. He told reporters, “It was a message of love. You know, that’s a nice thing”.
The Kiss That Broke the Internet
After leaving the courthouse, the couple held hands and walked toward a subway station in Lower Manhattan. Surrounded by reporters and photographers, they paused and shared a long, passionate kiss. The moment was captured on video and quickly spread across social media platforms.
One social media user wrote: “This should be legends of all time”. Another commented: “I wish them the best but it got me crying”. A third user called it a power play, saying: “Not gonna lie it was a power play now they gotta start making media immediately”.
Some users were surprised by how fast the couple got out of jail. One person wrote: “They out already. That was quick”. Another called the kiss a memorable way to celebrate freedom: “Well, that’s one unforgettable way to celebrate freedom”.
A fan praised the couple’s dedication to their craft, saying: “Its their thing. They share them a lot on the climbs. They’ve grown another fanbase…including me”. One user summed up the romance of the moment: “That kiss says it all. What a wild ride these two just shared climbing the Empire State for love and peace then walking free together. Pure romance”.
How They Pulled Off the Stunt
According to court documents, the couple entered the Empire State Building overnight and made their way through several restricted areas. They broke a lock on a security door on the 104th floor to reach the broadcast antenna. The antenna, which serves as a radio and television transmission tower, emits high-frequency radio signals that can harm the human body.
Because of the danger, police had to power down the antenna before they could approach the couple. Officers from the NYPD Emergency Services Unit waited 30 minutes for the antenna to power down before climbing up to arrest them. The couple surrendered without incident, and no injuries were reported.
Who Are Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus?
The couple are not ordinary thrill-seekers. They are well-known “rooftoppers” who have illegally climbed skyscrapers around the world. They have built large social media followings by documenting their high-risk adventures. Their relationship and stunts were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story”.
They live in East Orange, New Jersey. Beerkus is 32 years old, and Nikolau is 33. They have a history of climbing tall buildings without ropes or safety equipment.
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What Happens Next
The couple is scheduled to return to court on August 24, 2026. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison. For now, they are on supervised release and must check in regularly as the case moves forward.
An Empire State Building spokesperson said the unauthorized incident did not pose any danger to tenants, visitors, or guests. The building’s management has not explained how the couple got past security.
The couple’s lawyer continues to defend their actions. He said the winds were very low on the day of the climb, around 5-6 miles per hour, making the stunt less dangerous than it appeared. He also argued that the hexagonal platform below the antenna would have prevented them from falling further if they had lost their footing.
The viral kiss after their release has only added to their fame. Whether people see them as reckless rule-breakers or romantic daredevils, one thing is clear: Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus have captured the world’s attention.
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