Daredevil couple who scaled Empire State Building speak out, say they're 'ready to take responsibility'

Empire State Building Daredevil couple who scaled Empire State Building speak out, say they're 'ready to take responsibility' Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are known for their extreme skyscraper climbs. Anthony Carlo has the latest details on the skyscraper breach. By Angeline Jane Bernabe, Laryssa Demkiw, Tonya Simpson, Eric Jones and Cameron Harrison Wednesday, November 11, 2026 12:46PM Share Four months after scaling the Empire State Building, daredevils Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are opening up about what they say drove them to make the climb. "We didn't think about it," Kuznetsov told ABC News' Aaron Katersky in an interview that aired Wednesday on " Good Morning America ." "We think about how to show this message to the world. That's it." The duo, who gained an online following for their death-defying skyscraper climbs around the world, brought New York City to a standstill on July 1 when they free-climbed the broadcast antenna atop the iconic landmark and unfurled a black banner which read: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace." When asked if there was another way for the duo to display their message about love, Kuznetsov acknowledged how "dangerous" it was and advised others to "not try and repeat" what he and Nikolau did. "We know how dangerous it is," he said. "We know that it's deadly dangerous and we actually want to say to people that don't try to repeat it, because we've been doing it for 15 years. And maybe you should find another way to express yourself about love. There are a lot of ideas to express ourselves. We just do it by our own way. According to sources at the time, the pair bought tickets for the Empire State Building the day before and secretly spent the night inside. The next morning, a security camera caught them going through a hatch on the 102nd floor, sources said. A criminal complaint from the Manhattan district attorney alleged that a lock on the security door to the Empire State Building's 104th floor, which provides access to the building's broadcast antenna, was broken. The sources told ABC News it appeared the couple used tools to loosen the brackets so they could access a stairwell. Hours later, they were atop Manhattan. The event was livestreamed. Apple employee charged with murder after crashing into car at nearly 100 mph killing toddler Capitola Beach closed after 9 children sickened by E. coli outbreak: health officials Nima Momeni sentenced to 16 years to life for killing Cash App founder Bob Lee "This is performance," Nikolau told ABC News. "When artists do, it's real and to be in a real moment without fake, it is a real performance." What appeared to be a proposal also took place atop the spire, with Kuznetsov getting down on one knee. However, following the stunt, Nikolau's father, Dmitry Nikolau, claimed to ABC News that Nikolau and Kuznetsov are already married, saying that the stunt was in fact, a "performance." Asked during the interview whether they were already married, their attorney advised the couple not to answer and to instead talk about their future. The couple, who is from Russia on a talent visa, is facing multiple felony charges in Manhattan Criminal Court including burglary and reckless endangerment. They're due in court on Thursday and say they hope they can stay in New York. Kuznetsov said that he and Nikolau are "ready to take responsibility for what we did." When asked if he feels like he needs to apologize for anything, Kuznetsov said. "I think we need to apologize to only two policemen who tried to catch us upstairs." He added, "When we met with them at the top and he asked, 'Are you OK?' I said, 'Yes, yes.' They were so kind, professional." Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures. Related Topics SOCIETY EMPIRE STATE BUILDING U.S. & WORLD TRESPASSING CRIME WEDDING PROPOSAL CAUGHT ON VIDEO ILLEGAL CLIMBING Empire State Building climbers appear in court over viral engagement stunt Daredevil climbers hid in Empire State Building before stunt New details emerge about Empire State Building daredevil climbers How climbers got onto Empire State Building spire Live Streams ON NOW Apple employee charged with murder after crash that killed toddler Capitola Beach closed after 9 kids sickened by E. coli: officials Nima Momeni sentenced for killing Cash App founder Bob Lee Storm to bring rain, dangerous surf to Bay Area 49ers/Raiders fans ejected, arrested after fights at Levi's Stadium SF installs flood barriers along waterfront ahead of winter storms San Jose Sea Lions unveiled as CA's 1st pro women's hockey team Search called off for Bay Area woman swept into ocean near Santa Cruz