All About ‘Skywalkers’ Stars Who Got Engaged on Top of Empire State Building
A daredevil couple scaled the top of the Empire State Building in New York City on July 1, but the jaw-dropping moment was more than just the chance for them to make waves across midtown Manhattan. Ivan “Vanya” Beerkus actually proposed to Angela Nikolau atop the iconic structure.
The pair reached the very top of the Empire State Building’s antenna and hung up a flag that said, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” They then made their way down to a wider platform, where Beerkus got down on one knee and popped the question. Nikolau then posted photos from her Empire State Building engagement and even shared photos of her engagement ring — with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
So, who are these death-defying individuals? Scroll down for more about Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau’s relationship, including how they met and their Netflix history.
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Who are Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau?
Beerkus and Nikolau are a couple who climb buildings without harnesses or ropes. They were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
For the Netflix film, the couple filmed themselves climbing the Merdeka Tower in Malaysia. The 2,227-foot tall building is the second-tallest in the world, and the couple had to hide out in the building for about 30 hours to evade construction workers and other employees so they could pull off the climb.
Although they were successful, it was not without trials and tribulations. The pair had to go 19 hours without food and water during their Malaysia climb.
Courtesy of Netflix
In addition to climbing buildings, Beerkus also loves to make music, and Nikolau is an artist. They also have an online store for pet products.
Were Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau arrested?
While the two were able to escape Malaysia and avoid arrest, they were apprehended by the NYPD after scaling the Empire State Building. They were also arrested for trespassing after a climb in Paris and spent the night in jail.
Charges are currently pending against them in New York, according to the New York Post.
Proposal atop the Empire State Building? pic.twitter.com/ngV2b5eaZr
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 1, 2026
When Skywalkers came out in 2024, director Jeff Zimbalist told Variety, “We are not aware of any investigations into Ivan and Angela. There is no evidence that anyone is actively investigating them.”
How did Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau meet?
When Beerkus and Nikolau met, he was already advanced in rooftopping, while she was just a beginner. Nikolau was raised by parents in a circus, which is how she grew to love tackling new heights. Meanwhile, Beerkus used climbing as a way to escape his difficult home life.
Beerkus asked Nikolau to climb the Goldin Finance in China with him. “His text was very businesslike,” she recalled to The Guardian. “But as soon as I read it, I said yes.” Beerkus admitted that “sparks were flying” immediately, but the two didn’t admit it to each other right away.
While filming Skywalkers, the duo “presented their relationship as a competition or a rivalry” at first, Zimbalist told Vanity Fair. “But you could sense under the surface that there was a flirtation, a courtship bubbling.”
Zimbalist also told Variety, “It was clear, even on those initial calls, that there was a respect and admiration, maybe even a flirtation.”
They eventually gave in to their feelings. “I knew I could survive on my own, but it’s better with him,” Nikolau explained. “I had to give in to that and choose that path.”
Do Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau have kids?
No, they do not have children yet, and have admitted that their dangerous lifestyle made it “difficult” for them to decide whether it’s something they want.
“Yes, we hope to have children,” Nikolau told Variety. “We don’t necessarily want to support them doing something like rooftopping. But the job of the parent is to make sure the child isn’t bored, so that’s all we can do.”
