Aerialist Lijana Wallenda walks on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Nik Wallenda says he "freaked" out when his balancing pole slipped during a high-wire walk with his sister above New York's Times Square.
Nik and Lijana Wallenda spoke Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America," just hours after their harrowing feat.
Nik Wallenda said the scare occurred as his sister knelt so he could step over her while they crossed paths 25 stories above the pavement.
"My pole started to slide down," he said, adding that he briefly lost his grip. "It freaked me out for a second" - though his voice and facial expression remained outwardly calm during riveting close-ups shown on television.
Lijana Wallenda was performing with him for the first time since she had a near-fatal fall in 2017.
She conceded that she felt "a little shaky in the legs" for the first 20 feet.
But "it becomes home," she said. "This is what I've done my whole life. ... It's peaceful."
Lijana Wallenda said she could have quit wire walking after her traumatic fall but "I wouldn't let that fear consume me."
She is "living proof" that anybody can step out of their comfort zone and overcome their own fears, her brother said.
After conquering Times Square, Nik Wallenda says he's got his eye on an "active volcano."
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, top, steps over his sister Lijana as they walk on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialist Lijana Wallenda walks on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, right, and his sister Lijana walk on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, right, and his sister Lijana walk on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, center, and his father, Terry Troffer, right, look over Times Square and the high wire prior to his walk above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, right, and his father, Terry Troffer, center, look over Times Square and the high wire prior to his walk above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialist Nik Wallenda walks on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, top, steps over his sister Lijana as they walk on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialist Nik Wallenda walks on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialist Nik Wallenda walks on a high wire above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, left, and his sister Lijana pose before a news conference after their high wire walk above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, left, and his sister Lijana talk to the media during a news conference after their high wire walk above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press
Aerialists Nik Wallenda, left, and his sister Lijana talk to the media during a news conference after their high wire walk above Times Square, Sunday, June 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
The Associated Press