Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Couple Facing Charges After Empire State Building Climbing Stunt
Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau are a couple from New Jersey.
Police say they climbed the Empire State Building on July 1.
They were seen at the top wearing masks and holding a sign.
Officers said they appeared not to be wearing safety harnesses.
No one was injured.
Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau during the stunt.
The couple was arrested and later appeared in court.
They face several criminal charges and say they will respect the legal process.
Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau appeared in court in New York City on August 24.
Authorities allege the couple climbed the Empire State Building on July 1.
The pair reportedly reached the top while wearing masks and holding a sign.
They face charges including burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
The stunt ended with Kuznetsov proposing to Nikolau nearly 1,500 feet above New York City.
- Who
- Netflix stars Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau, an East Orange, New Jersey-based couple.
- What
- They allegedly climbed the Empire State Building and now face burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief charges.
- When
- The alleged climb occurred on July 1; their first court appearance was August 24.
- Where
- The incident occurred at the Empire State Building in New York City, and the couple appeared in court there.
- Why
- The articles do not establish a specific reason for the climb; Nikolau said people who challenge boundaries can help move humanity forward.
Authorities’ Account
The Couple’s Position
The building climb
Authorities’ Account
Police allege the couple climbed the Empire State Building, reached the top wearing masks and appeared to be without harnesses.
The Couple’s Position
The couple have not been reported as denying the climb; Nikolau said they would respect the legal process and accept the consequences of their choices.
Meaning of the stunt
Authorities’ Account
Authorities treated the incident as a criminal matter involving alleged burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
The Couple’s Position
Nikolau said people who challenge existing boundaries have helped move humanity forward, framing the act as boundary-pushing.
Safety impact
Authorities’ Account
Police cited the apparent lack of harnesses and pursued charges, though they said no one was injured.
The Couple’s Position
The couple’s reported proposal and public comments presented the stunt as a personal and symbolic moment, without addressing the specific allegations.
- Defendants
- Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33
- Incident date
- July 1
- Court appearance
- August 24 in New York City
- Location
- Empire State Building
- Charges
- Burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief
- Reported height
- Nearly 1,500 feet above New York City
- Injuries
- Police said no one was injured