A former Miss America who was slut-shamed and fat-shamed in emails exchanged between the organisation's chief executive and its board members says she feels validated by the publication of the offensive messages.

Mallory Hagan, who won the crown in 2013, was described as "fat and gross" in one email sent by chief executive Sam Haskell and published by Huffington Post.

Mallory Hagan is crowned Miss America in 2013. Credit:ISAAC BREKKEN

"When I first read the emails in the article, I wasn't shocked but I was validated," she told NBC's Today Show. "For the longest time, I'd try to explain to people around me this is happening, or these things are being said. And [now I] have the ability to look on paper and say, 'See, I told you.'"

The Miss America Organisation said it "does not condone the use of inappropriate language" and had formed a committee and hired lawyers to investigate the matter. It also noted the emails were obtained illegally.