ABC’s ‘Highwire Live’: Why Nik Wallenda Is Totally Cool With Wearing a Safety Harness This Time

Tightrope walker famously hated having to strap in for 2012’s Niagara Falls stunt

Nik Wallenda
ABC

Nik Wallenda doesn’t want to die during ABC special “Highwire Live,” but that’s not actually why he is okay with wearing a harness — this time.

On Sunday, Wallenda and his sister Lijana will walk a 1,300 foot-long tightrope, 25-stories atop New York City’s Times Square. They’ll meet around the middle and pass each other going in opposite directions (she’ll sit down and he’ll step over her, Nik Wallenda told TheWrap).

The wire (pictured above, with Nik) is just 3/4″ in diameter, about the size of a quarter. If all goes well, they’ll both be safely on a solid surface in about “20-30 minutes,” he said.

Want to keep reading?

Create a free account, or log in with your email below.

 

Gain access to unlimited free articles, news alerts, select newsletters, podcasts and more.

 

Comments