HispanicBusiness

What do you do when the most recent American Idol can't fulfill his obligations? Hire the most recent "X Factor" winner.

Tate Stevens, the former Belton street worker and (presumably) future country music star, will replace "Idol's" Phillip Phillips on Fox's "New Year's Eve Live!"

In Kansas City, Fox 4 will air the show at 11 p.m. Monday, tape-delaying it an hour.

The network said Phillips canceled due to scheduling conflicts.

The 90-minute New Year's Eve special will originate from Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas but will include cutaways to the Times Square ball drop in New York City. Actor Marlon Wayans will host. Besides Stevens, there'll be performances from the band Lifehouse and Carmen Electra (yes, apparently she still has a career).

Wayans' new comedy, "A Haunted House," comes to theaters Jan. 11.

Stevens, 37, of Raymore, won the $5 million grand prize on "The X Factor" Dec. 20. Thursday evening, he was honored by the city of Belton with a proclamation and a key to the city.

The night of his "X Factor" triumph, Stevens said he plans to start working on his debut album immediately. And he'll be moving his family from the Kansas City area to Nashville.

"My son wants to graduate high school with his buddies, so we're gonna try to make that happen, and I'll commute back and forth as long as I have to," Stevens told reporters backstage. "But we're definitely moving."