The people who climbed the Empire State Building were identified in reporting as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus (also reported as Ivan Kuznetsov). They were described as a daredevil couple who scaled the tower’s antenna, unfurled a banner, and were taken into custody afterward.

Who they are

  • Angela Nikolau : a Russian rooftopper and climber known for extreme skyscraper climbs.
  • Ivan Beerkus / Ivan Kuznetsov : her partner, also known for high-rise climbing stunts around the world.

What happened

They climbed to the top of the Empire State Building on July 1, 2026, displayed a banner about love and peace, and an apparent proposal followed before police arrested them.

Why they’re known

The pair were previously profiled in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story , which focused on their rooftop climbing and relationship.

TL;DR: The climbers were Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, a rooftop- climbing couple known for viral daredevil stunts.