Overview: Miss Universe 1996 was the 45th Miss Universe pageant, held at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on May 17, 1996. This was the last time that the Miss Universe was run by ITT Corp. Alicia Machado of Venezuela was crowned by Chelsi Smith from the United States at the end of the event. 79 contestants competed in this edition.