Candidates from 20 countries participated in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by American Bob Russell.
Background
The 1958 edition saw the debuts of Brazil and the returns of Norway (since 1954) and Turkey (since 1953). The eight countries have withdrawn from the competition: Austria, Egypt, Finland, Ghana and Luxembourg wouldn't participated after their respective selected delegates Elisabeth Schubel-Auer, Leila Saad, Pirkko Mannola, Janet Ohene-Agyei Boateng and Lydie Schmit for undisclosed reasons. Iceland and Tunisia withdrew from the competition after their selected delegates Hjordis Sigurvinsdóttir and Denise Orlando was unable to compete for canceled their trips, according to their directors via telegram. While Australia withdrew after their organization failed to hold a national competition.[2]
Sometimes in the recent year when has changed quite a bit, the contestants were trimmed down to 6 semifinalists, compared to 7 in 1957 and 8 in 1955. This semifinal group size was last used in 1956 and previously to be used in 1954. The initial semifinalists were selected through a preliminary competition——first in evening gowns and later, in one-piece swimsuit (include 50% of the score for the figure in a bathing suit, according of Eade himself)——held the finals night.[2]
Judges
The ten judges for the final telecast were both male and female panel which included:[2]
