Miss USA 1996 was the 45th Miss USA pageant, held at South Padre Island Convention Centre on South Padre Island, Texas culminating in the final competition and crowning on February 2, 1996.
At the conclusion of the final competition, Ali Landry of Louisiana was crowned by outgoing titleholder Shanna Moakler of New York. Landry had previously won the Miss Louisiana Teen USA title and placed seventh at Miss Teen USA 1990.
The pageant was held on South Padre Island for the third and final time. It was hosted by Bob Goen for the third time, and Maty Monfort offered colour commentary. Aaron Neville provided entertainment during the competition.
This was also the first year that the Miss Universe Organization opened a website dedicated to the pageant, and the first time they instituted an internet vote to choose the winner of the Miss Photogenic award.
The following is the contestants average scores in the preliminary competition.
The Miss USA 1996 delegates were:
Ten delegates had previously competed in either the Miss Teen USA or Miss America pageants.
Delegates who had previously held a Miss Teen USA state title were:
Delegate who had previously held a Miss America state title:
Delegate who previously held a Miss USA state title: