New York Post Reveals How Couple Who Shocked the World With Empire State Building Stunt Pulled It Off

Daredevil artists Ivan Beerkus and Angelina pleaded not guilty to several charges in relation to their Wednesday stunt. Jennifer Peltz/AP Photos
The lovestruck daredevils who climbed atop the Empire State Building and got engaged while the world watched apparently accessed the dizzying heights by hiding out in the skyscraper overnight, according to the New York Post.
Sources told the outlet that artists Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov — who goes by the moniker BEERKUS on Instagram — bought late-night tickets to the Empire State Building on Tuesday, then probably squirreled themselves away inside the landmark.
They were allegedly caught on video emerging from a hatch on the iconic tower’s 102nd floor around 5 a.m. Wednesday, the sources told The Post.
Nikolau, 33, and Kuznetsov, 32, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to several charges, including reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, burglary and disorderly conduct, according to public records.
The East Orange, New Jersey, residents were chased by media as they exited Manhattan Criminal Court following their arraignment, with reporters begging them to smooch, social media video showed.
#Mundo | Angela Nikolau e Ivan Beerkus, los famosos escaladores de estructuras extremas, recibieron libertad condicional supervisada tras su detención por escalar el Empire State Building.
La pareja, reconocida mundialmente por sus desafÃos a la altura, habÃa realizado esta… pic.twitter.com/dViPybMqah— Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo (@noticias45col) July 2, 2026
“Oh wow!” several reporters could be heard saying as the pair passionately locked lips on the subway steps.
The two self-described artists — who are the subjects of the 2024 Netflix film “Skywalkers” — were spotted atop the 1,454 Empire State Building around noon, where they unfurled a black banner with large white letters.
“When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” the banner read.
Nikolau was clad in a black cat mask, while Kuznetsov was also masked.
The pair scrambled down the television antenna — where Kuznetsov got down on one knee and proposed while the world watched.
Nikolau then posted an array of stunning images on her Instagram, showing off a dazzling engagement ring with all of Manhattan splayed out below her outstretched hand.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch later posted bodycam footage from the NYPD officers who took the two into custody.
“Well, you can’t be up here,” one officer can be heard saying in the video.
“I’m OK,” Nikolau told the cops as they restrained her and carefully made room in the precarious space for Kuznetsov to climb down.
“A glimpse into the work of our Emergency Service Unit,” Tisch wrote on X. “God bless these officers.”
A lawyer for the couple could not immediately be reached for comment by Mediaite, but told reporters outside of court the pair were “trying to send a message.”
“Come on, what a way to propose — it’s something you could only dream of, so you’ve got to give him some credit for that,” attorney Jason Krinsky said.
Meanwhile, Fox News’ Kennedy said Kuznetsov’s viral engagement put all other romantics to shame.
“And now every guy who’s tried to propose this weekend is going to be like, ‘Oh, what am I going to do? Climb to the top of the Empire State Building like King Kong and swipe at your affection? No, definitely set the bar,” she said on Outnumbered.
“And by the way,” she added, “if you get arrested in New York City, try to speak Russian and claim that you don’t understand what’s happening because you only speak Russian, you’re still going to get arrested and charged.”
The post New York Post Reveals How Couple Who Shocked the World With Empire State Building Stunt Pulled It Off first appeared on Mediaite.
from Mediaite https://ift.tt/6aZrdUl
