Explore the controversial proposal of Skywalkers Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau atop the Empire State Building and the legal fallout that followed.

For Ivan and Angelina, the proximity to death is what makes the commitment real; it’s the ultimate 'til death do us part' because death is right there, just a few inches away.
The story of the 2 Russian daredevil couple 'Empire Building' climb and proposal and the famous manifesto 'When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace' (attributed to Jimi Hendrix). Style: fun, romantic, and engaging story-telling.








Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau are a couple known as the "Skywalkers" who have spent years climbing the world’s tallest spires. They treat these massive structures as private stages for their stunts, often standing on narrow metal beams hundreds of feet in the air. On July 1, 2026, they gained international attention by staging a marriage proposal at the very top of the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, suspended 1,400 feet above the pavement.
During the proposal, the couple bypassed multiple layers of security at the iconic Empire State Building to reach the transmission tower. Standing 1,400 feet above Midtown Manhattan, they unfurled a banner about the power of love while facing intense winds. While the event was intended as a grand romantic gesture, it was performed without permission on a piece of metal no wider than a foot, leading to immediate intervention by the NYPD and significant legal consequences.
Although the couple viewed the event as a romantic milestone, the NYPD and legal authorities classified the stunt as a series of serious crimes. Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau faced a laundry list of felony charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal trespass. Critics argue that their actions bypassed essential security protocols at a protected landmark and put first responders at unnecessary risk, ultimately ending their high-altitude engagement in handcuffs.
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