A couple who scaled the Empire State Building appeared in a Manhattan criminal court on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and were granted supervised release.

The case highlights the tension between viral social media stunts and public safety laws in New York City. The duo's ascent of the landmark was intended as a death-defying marriage proposal, drawing significant attention online before their arrest.

Angelina Nikolau, 33 [1], and Ivan Kuznetsov pleaded not guilty to charges related to the illegal climb. The pair appeared before a New York County criminal court judge to address the charges stemming from their ascent of the building, which reaches 1,454 feet to the antenna [2].

Following the proceedings, the court granted the couple supervised release until their next scheduled date. Upon exiting the Manhattan courthouse, Nikolau and Kuznetsov were seen sharing a kiss in view of cameras and onlookers [3].

While some reports refer to the male climber as Ivan Beerkus, other records identify him as Ivan Kuznetsov [4]. Similarly, the female climber is identified as either Angelina or Angela Nikolau in various reports [5].

The climb occurred as part of a coordinated stunt. The couple faced charges for the unauthorized scaling of the structure, a move that typically triggers high-level security responses from the New York Police Department and building management. The legal proceedings began after the viral nature of the proposal brought the event to wide public attention [6].

“The couple scaled the Empire State Building for a death-defying proposal.”

This incident underscores a growing trend of 'urban exploration' and high-risk stunts performed for digital engagement. By treating a 1,454-foot landmark as a backdrop for a proposal, the couple bypassed safety protocols, forcing the city to balance the pursuit of public order with the high-profile nature of viral content creators.