Nicole Smith-Ludvik, a professional skydiver and Emirates Airlines ambassador, gained global attention for her daring role in a viral commercial filmed atop the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Standing at an incredible height of 828 meters (2,716 feet), Nicole stood on a narrow 1.2-square-meter platform to deliver a message for Emirates Airlines. The commercial, shot without green screens or CGI, showcased her incredible poise and bravery.
The shoot took extensive planning and safety precautions, including a special harness hidden beneath her Emirates uniform. The team spent over an hour climbing from the 160th floor to the antenna’s top, where Nicole stood as an Airbus A380 made several passes around the iconic building to capture the perfect shot. Filming started at sunrise, with the entire sequence recorded using drones.
Nicole’s journey to this breathtaking feat was marked by personal challenges. She is originally from Georgia, USA, and overcame devastating personal tragedies, including the loss of her first husband and surviving a severe car accident that left her with multiple fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Despite these setbacks, she pursued her passion for skydiving and eventually moved to Dubai, where she has continued to inspire many through her resilience and adventurous spirit.
This commercial was not only a technical achievement but also a symbol of perseverance, showing how far Nicole had come from her life-altering injuries to standing on top of the world, both literally and figuratively. He’s a link of all what transpired behind the scenes.
