Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, and The Rock Battle It Out in the Most Hilarious Ugly Sweater Competition!

Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, and The Rock Battle It Out in the Most Hilarious Ugly Sweater Competition!

The holiday season is officially here, and with it comes the return of one of the most beloved traditions of all—ugly sweaters. Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no denying that these kitschy, sometimes downright hideous garments have become a staple of festive fun. But this year, in an unexpected twist, four of Hollywood’s most iconic stars—Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, and J.K. Simmons—took the humble ugly sweater competition to a whole new level, turning it into one of the most entertaining, laugh-out-loud moments of the holiday season.

This unforgettable event took place as part of the promotional tour for Red One, the star-studded holiday action-comedy set to drop in December 2024. With Johnson and Evans leading the cast, expectations were high, but it was the competition itself—the ultimate ugly sweater showdown—that quickly stole the spotlight. What began as a simple press event turned into a full-on holiday extravaganza, showcasing the perfect mix of holiday cheer, playful rivalry, and comedy.

The competition quickly became an internet sensation, drawing fans from across the globe to see how these A-listers would handle one of the season’s most ridiculous, yet beloved, traditions. With holiday sweaters that ranged from the outrageous to the absurd, it wasn’t just about showing off the best (or worst) designs—it became a hilarious battle for who could entertain and amuse the most.

The Contestants: The Stars Bring Their A-Game

This was not your typical ugly sweater competition. When you’re dealing with A-list actors who are used to battling it out on movie sets, you know the stakes are high. Each participant entered the event with their own unique sense of humor, giving fans a sneak peek into their personalities as they prepared to embrace the festive absurdity.

1. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: There’s no doubt that Johnson has a larger-than-life personality, both in and out of the ring. As a former WWE superstar turned Hollywood megastar, The Rock is no stranger to competition. But when it came to the ugly sweater contest, he brought his A-game—and then some. Known for his incredible physique and unmatched charisma, Johnson stepped into the competition wearing a sweater featuring an image of Santa lifting weights, complete with a neon green background and jingly bells hanging from the cuffs. His sweater was a perfect reflection of his larger-than-life persona, filled with playful, over-the-top elements that made him a clear contender for the title. “It’s not just an ugly sweater, it’s electrifying,” he quipped with his signature grin, clearly in his element. His boisterous energy, combined with his unique twist on the holiday classic, made for one unforgettable moment.
2. Chris Evans: The Captain America actor was known for his dry wit and understated humor long before he ever put on the shield, and he certainly brought that same energy to the ugly sweater competition. Evans’ sweater featured a hilariously grumpy-looking reindeer surrounded by a festive wreath and Christmas lights. While the design was simpler than some of the others, Evans delivered his own brand of dry humor with a deadpan delivery. “I wanted something that says ‘I’m still in the holiday spirit, but I’m also not afraid to complain about it,’” Evans joked, capturing the essence of his character. His understated yet hilarious approach had fans cracking up, and it was clear he was having just as much fun as everyone else. Despite being the least flashy of the group, Evans’ subtle, sarcastic approach earned him plenty of fans in the competition.
3. Lucy Liu: The Charlie’s Angels star brought her signature style to the event, combining elegance with just the right amount of holiday humor. Liu’s ugly sweater was an extravagant, glittery masterpiece featuring a snowman dressed in oversized sunglasses, a bow tie, and a top hat. The snowman itself was bedazzled to perfection, shimmering with so many rhinestones that it looked like a holiday pageant contestant. Liu smiled as she showed off her creation, saying, “If there’s anything the holidays need, it’s a little sparkle and a whole lot of attitude.” Liu’s personality shone just as brightly as her sweater, and she quickly became one of the fan favorites with her radiant energy and commitment to bringing glamour to the ugly sweater challenge. For her, it wasn’t just about creating a tacky design—it was about making the sweater uniquely her own, with humor, sparkle, and a touch of class.
4. J.K. Simmons: Known for his versatile acting career and award-winning performances, Simmons is someone you’d never expect to participate in a competition as quirky as this. But when it comes to embracing the absurd, Simmons was the ultimate dark horse. His ugly sweater took the “over-the-top” factor to a whole new level. It was a Christmas tree—knitted directly onto his chest—complete with real ornaments, garlands, and twinkling lights. In addition, he donned a full-on Santa beard, making him look like he had just stepped off the set of a Christmas movie. “I figured if I was going to do this, I might as well commit to the holiday spirit,” Simmons said, pulling on his fake beard and giving a hearty laugh. As expected, his sweater was both a hilarious and endearing nod to the holiday season. In true Simmons fashion, he didn’t just wear an ugly sweater; he became the embodiment of Christmas cheer in the most comically extravagant way possible.

The Competition Heats Up: Challenges, Laughter, and Holiday Chaos

The ugly sweater competition wasn’t just about wearing the funniest, most outlandish designs. It also involved a series of challenges that forced these big-name celebrities to channel their inner holiday spirit—and, of course, their ability to make people laugh. These challenges tested their creativity, their holiday knowledge, and—above all—their willingness to embrace the chaos of the competition.

• The “Jingle Bells” Challenge: Each contestant was tasked with shaking their sweater to produce the loudest jingle. The goal wasn’t just to wear an ugly sweater—it was to make sure it jingled, jangled, and rang in the festive spirit. Johnson’s Santa-lifting-weights sweater, with its strategically placed bells on the cuffs, easily made the most noise, but it was Lucy Liu’s sparkling snowman that truly shone. With its rhinestones and shiny embellishments, her sweater became a beacon of holiday bling, much to the delight of the crowd. In the end, it wasn’t just about the most noise—it was about how each star played to the strengths of their ridiculous designs. And when it came to showmanship, none could beat Johnson’s energetic attempts to shake his sweater like it was going out of style.
• The “Santa’s Helper” Dance-Off: When the competition turned into a dance-off, it was clear that each contestant had their own unique approach. While Johnson embraced his athletic background and added some choreographed moves to his routine, Evans went the sarcastic route, half-heartedly moving while smirking at the camera. Lucy Liu’s dance was both elegant and humorous—balancing grace with the obvious absurdity of her situation—while Simmons, who never broke character, performed with a stoic intensity, turning his awkward movements into comedy gold. Watching these four stars, each from a different walk of Hollywood life, throw themselves into this challenge with total commitment was pure joy. The crowd roared with laughter, especially when Simmons turned his awkward dance into an impromptu routine, spinning around with his Christmas tree sweater knocking over ornaments left and right.
• The “Ugly Sweater Talk Show” Round: The final challenge was one for the ages—each star was asked a series of hilarious holiday-themed questions. These included everything from “What’s the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever received?” to “If you could replace Rudolph with any other animal, which would it be and why?” The responses were as wild as the sweaters themselves. Johnson, ever the charmer, cracked jokes about the endless piles of socks he receives every year, while Evans leaned into his dry humor, deadpanning that he’d choose a cat to replace Rudolph, simply because “cats do whatever they want.” Liu responded with her usual quick wit, suggesting a flamingo for the job because “they’d look fabulous in the snow,” while Simmons delivered his answers with a level of deadpan seriousness that had everyone in stitches.

The Audience Reacts: Who’s the True Winner?

After all the hilarity and holiday chaos, it came time for the judges to declare a winner. As expected, it wasn’t just about the sweaters themselves but the performances and the personality behind each look. The crowd was split, with each star receiving cheers and laughter throughout the competition.

When it came to crowning the victor, the competition was tight. The Rock’s energy, Evans’ wit, Liu’s sparkling charm, and Simmons’ over-the-top commitment made for one of the funniest and most unpredictable moments in recent holiday entertainment. Ultimately, it was Simmons’ dedication to the ugly part of the sweater that earned him the top spot. His Christmas tree sweater—complete with real ornaments and twinkling lights—was a true work of art (or, at least, holiday madness). He not only embodied the ridiculousness of the event but also did so with such a level of seriousness that made him a clear winner in the eyes of both the judges and the audience.

But in reality, the true winner of the night was the holiday spirit itself. Whether they won or lost, the stars of Red One had embraced the absurdity of the challenge, giving us all a reminder