Miss Universe 1996, the 45th Miss Universe pageant, was held on 17 May 1996 at The AXIS in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Alicia Machado of Venezuela crowned by Chelsi Smith from the USA. Seventy-nine contestants competed in this year.The pageant originally was scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, for financial reasons, South Africa couldn't host the pageant and Miss Universe was moved to Las Vegas.