Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau may be facing criminal charges after their now-infamous Empire State Building stunt, but in the court of public opinion, they are slaying. The couple appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court on August 24, nearly two months after they climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's antenna, and they looked like characters in a romantic superhero movie.
© CHARLY TRIBALLEAUBeerkus, 32, and Nikolau, 33, arrived wearing matching black leather jackets and jeans, with one incredible accessory - handcuffs.
© GettyThey each wore one half of the decorative cuffs, leaving the building hand-in-hand. Then they stopped for a full-on makeout session.
© GettyAfter their appearance, Nikolau shared a gallery with the courthouse pictures on Instagram with her 4.56 million followers. "Everything can be taken. Except this," she wrote in the caption. "The case was adjourned until September."
© GettyHer comments were filled with supporters, proving that the public is on their side. One of the top-liked commenters joked, “Telling my kids this is Catwoman and Batman," "BONNIE AND CLYDE IRL, " and "my version of Romeo and Juliet," among the hundreds.
Others couldn't get over the handcuff-as-a-bracelet look. "The handcuffs in the shots are so iconic, " someone wrote. "A HANDCUFF as a bracelet is gd iconic. 15/10 no notes queen - rooting for y'all," another added.
© GettyEven Nikolau took a moment to acknowledge the support, writing in the comments, “Thank you, family, for being there for us! We truly appreciate all your support — we can feel it even from miles away!!!!”
The couple is facing multiple criminal charges stemming from their July 1 stunt, when they allegedly made their way to the top of the skyscraper's broadcast antenna.
Beerkus proposed to Nikolau nearly 1,500 feet above New York City, and the pair unfurled a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
They were arrested following the stunt, and authorities said no one was injured.
© New York Daily NewsThe couple's latest court appearance could also mark the beginning of the end of the legal saga. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Jessica Waldman said prosecutors are currently in “active plea discussions” with Beerkus and Nikolau, according to the New York Post.
Nikolau shared a post on Instagram just days before their latest court appearance, sharing the philosophy behind their decision to push boundaries and acknowledging that they will ultimately have to deal with the consequences of what they did.
“We believe that humanity has always been moved forward by those who refused to accept existing boundaries as final,” she wrote. “Those who asked uncomfortable questions, took risks, and kept moving toward the impossible.”
She continued by reflecting on what the world would look like without people willing to take those risks, adding, “The world without people like that would be much quieter. But we’re not sure it would be better.”
They also made it clear they're ready to deal with any consequences. “Whatever happens in court, we will respect the process and accept the consequences of our choices,” Nikolau wrote.
