Who are Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus? Meet the Netflix couple arrested after Empire climb

Two Russian rooftop climbers featured in Netflix's Skywalkers: A Love Story were arrested after scaling the Empire State Building's antenna, in New York City, United States unfurling a peace banner and getting engaged at the top.

Russian daredevils Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, the couple featured in Netflix's Skywalkers: A Love Story, were arrested after climbing the Empire State Building's antenna in New York and staging a dramatic proposal more than 1,400 feet above the city.

The pair scaled the iconic skyscraper on July 1 before unfurling a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace," a quote widely attributed to legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix.

After displaying the banner, one of the climbers got down on one knee and proposed while the other appeared to show off an engagement ring. The moment was captured as police helicopters circled the building overhead.

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Police take couple into custody

Emergency Services Unit officers climbed the antenna to intercept the pair as they descended. Police body-camera footage showed officers informing them they were not permitted to be on the structure, to which one of the climbers reportedly responded, "We are engaged."

Authorities later took both into custody. No injuries were reported, and officials have not disclosed how the couple gained access to the restricted section of the building.

Empire State Building management described the climb as an unauthorised stunt but said it did not pose a danger to visitors inside the landmark.

Netflix documentary follows their rooftop adventures

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus are internationally known for "rooftopping"—the practice of illegally climbing skyscrapers and other tall structures to capture photographs and videos from extreme heights.

Their relationship and high-risk climbs are the subject of the Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicles their adventures across some of the world's tallest buildings. The documentary also reveals that many of their climbs involved entering construction sites without permission.

Not the first climb of the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building has attracted several high-profile climbers over the years. While most ascents have been unauthorised, actor Jared Leto was officially permitted to climb part of the building's antenna in 2023 as part of a promotional event.

French climber Alain Robert, widely known as the "French Spider-Man", also famously scaled the skyscraper in 1994.