A daring couple who made headlines for their audacious climb of the Empire State Building turned the courtroom into a scene of romance on Monday. Angela Nikolau, 33, and her partner Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, were caught in a passionate embrace outside the Manhattan Criminal Court after news broke about a potential plea deal in their case.
The couple, who are facing felony charges stemming from their controversial Instagram engagement stunt in July, shared a lengthy kiss near a hot-dog vendor, showcasing their love for each other despite the legal troubles looming over them. This was the first time Nikolau publicly flaunted her engagement ring, which Kuznetsov presented to her while they were perched over 1,000 feet in the air on the iconic skyscraper.
Before their court appearance, Nikolau stirred up some buzz on social media by posting a peculiar video of herself in a latex bodysuit, playfully holding a knife and licking Kuznetsov’s head, which she referred to as “court prep.” The couple arrived at the hearing dressed in stylish black leather jackets and jeans, holding hands as they stood before the judge, Beverly Tatham, flanked by their legal team.
During the proceedings, Assistant District Attorney Jessica Waldman revealed that the prosecution is currently engaged in “active plea discussions” with the couple. While the specific terms of any potential deal remain unclear, the couple could face up to seven years in prison if convicted of the charges against them, which include burglary and reckless endangerment.
The couple’s escapade reportedly caused around $2,000 in damages and required the temporary shutdown of the Empire State Building’s broadcast antenna when they climbed the landmark last month. According to reports, they purchased tickets to visit the iconic site on July 30 and allegedly hid there overnight, emerging from a hatch on the 102nd floor early the next morning. They then scaled the building’s antenna and unfurled a banner proclaiming, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” a moment that was captured by news outlets and shared on their social media.
After their climb, Kuznetsov, who is known as Ivan “Vanya” Beerkus online, proposed to Nikolau, who was wearing a striking black cat mask. The couple now faces several felony charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief, along with misdemeanor counts related to their actions.
Their story has even been documented in a Netflix film titled “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. The couple is scheduled to return to court on September 29, leaving many to wonder what the next chapter in their love story will hold.
