Who Are the 'Skywalkers'? Meet the Couple Behind the Empire State Building Climb

The engagement atop the Empire State Building may have grabbed headlines this week, but for those who follow the world of extreme climbing, the two people behind it are already familiar faces. Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau — known to their online audiences as the "Skywalkers" — have spent years building a reputation for scaling some of the tallest structures on Earth, often without ropes or safety gear. Originally from Russia and now based in New Jersey, the couple rose to global fame after a Netflix documentary followed their climb of Malaysia's Merdeka 118 Tower, a skyscraper that stands over 2,200 feet tall. That film introduced a wide audience to their unusual partnership, in which death-defying ascents double as a form of artistic expression and shared adventure. Their portfolio of stunts stretches across the globe. Social media posts document close calls and confrontations, including an incident in China where they got into trouble for kissing atop a spire, and a marathon effort in Malaysia where they reportedly waited more than 20 hours — without food, water, or a bathroom — just to slip past security. Similar escapades have taken them to rooftops in Miami and beyond. What they practice is part of a broader subculture known as "rooftopping," in which climbers scale tall buildings and structures, often illegally, to capture dramatic photos and videos. Longtime participants acknowledge the enormous risks involved, both physical and legal. As one veteran rooftopper put it, the consequences of getting caught somewhere like the Empire State Building tend to outweigh the reward for most people. That tension between artistry and recklessness sits at the heart of the Skywalkers' story. To their fans, they are fearless creators chasing once-in-a-lifetime moments high above the world. To authorities, they are trespassers whose stunts endanger themselves and others. Their latest chapter in New York — ending in handcuffs and a long list of charges — is unlikely to be their last time in the spotlight.