The Kardashians

Not pictured: The rest of her swimsuit.

Kim KardASSian is set to appear in Playboy, but she's keeping her clothes on. Damn!

TMZ has learned that the photoshoot, first reported by PerezHilton, was done by famed music video director Hype Williams -- but will not feature Kim's best ASSet in the nude. Oh, tosh, Tush! Kim's pages will feature a sanitized celebrity pictorial -- much like when Mariah Carey did the mag.

What about the top half, you ask? A source close to the shoot tells us that there's none of that either. If you want to see the goods, stick with the video.

She took time to adjust her bikini while facing cameras -- no backside shots here! Then, when it came time to leave the water, she had a friend bring her a towel so she could wrap herself up -- while still in the water. (Note: it was a huuuuuuge towel.) Finally, as Kim sat herself back down on her beach chair, photogs caught a brief glimpse of the Ass Seen 'Round the World. Mission accomplished!

TMZ spoke with Kim this morning and she gave us a simple explanation: "You'd cover your big ass too if everyone was taking pictures." Assk a stupid question ...

Miss Badonkadonk was interviewed on Los Angeles based hip-hop station 93.5 KDAY where she insisted that she has no beef with Whitney -- who was romantically linked to Kim's sex tape partner Ray J -- but used a line from one of the diva's hits to describe her feelings about the situation: "It's not right, but it's okay -- I'm going to make it anyway." Hmm -- no beef? Suuuure.

KardASSian went on to say that her relationship with footballin' hottie Reggie Bush will remain private -- because she has learned from her past mistakes. Sex tape, bad! Mouth shut, good!

Yes, the Queen of all Booty hit up the beach bash with buddy Aubrey O'Day of Danity Kane, but the two bolted from the breezy 'Bu for the blistering heat of a San Fernando Valley hang -- where they'd no doubt be surrounded by post-barbecue families instead of barbecued celebs like Jared Leto and Dave Navarro.

Kim knows what's hot.

-- Marilyn Monroe

Amen.

Kim KardASSian was spotted bringing up her rear as she arrived to the set of a photo shoot on Monday.

The Pussycat Doll in-training chatted with her mother, Kris Jenner, before shaking her plus-sized groove thang!

Kim is the latest sexbomb to follow in the pawprints of the likes of Scarlett Johannson and Eva Longoria to join the Pussycat Dolls in their hit Las Vegas burlesque revue.

Sources tell TMZ that there was more to this photo of The Tush out with Robin Antin (in t-shirt), creator of the Dolls and their hit show -- Robin was showing her new red-skirted kitty a few hot moves!

Kim was showing off her colossal badonkadonk again on Tushday night outside Koi -- where she was anything butt coy!

Thanks, Kim, for pulling up the rear!

TMZ spies caught the Heisman Trophy winner putting himself in scoring position with the bombshell brunette dress shop owner at a party this weekend at TAO in Las Vegas. Gotcha!

And get this -- despite weeks of speculation surrounding their relationship -- TMZ has confirmed that Bush & Tush are on like Donkey Kong! Hope Kim's a Saints fan!

His entourage chilled in the VIP room, sipping Grey Goose and Dom, while JET hosted a Kim K look-alike contest. Sources inside the party tell TMZ that the competition was fierce, but Ray narrowed it down to one lucky lady, who won a chance to star in Ray's next, er, film.

TMZ has learned that Kim Kardashian has dropped her lawsuit against Vivid Entertainment over the release of her sex tape with former BF, R&B artist Ray J ... who has now moved on to Whitney Houston.

The tape, which Vivid paid a million dollars for, is now a bestseller in adult video stores and online markets. Vivid's co-chairman tells TMZ, "We are pleased that Kim has dropped her legal action against us, we met with her several times and finally reached a financial arrangement that we both feel is fair." Sounds like they're bosom buddies now.

According to UsMagazine.com Kardashian will receive close to $5 million in the settlement.

With a pink, '80s-inspired sweater clinging to her bod, and hoop earrings nearly bigger than her head, Kimmie was the Queen of the Rink -- though she nearly fell on her shapely ass when one of the curves proved a bit more hazardous than her own.

There was even some girl-on-girl action for Kim Superstar, who was caught holding hands with an unknown super short-skirted buddy. Sorry guys, no "Rollergirls" here.

Despite Kim's pending lawsuit, Vivid Entertainment is going forward with a March 21 release of "Kim Kardashian Superstar" -- the sex video Kim made with then-boyfriend, Ray-J.

Steven Hirsch, Co-Chairman of Vivid, told TMZ, "I met with Kim yesterday and unfortunately, we didn't even come close to reaching an agreement. We will now immediately move forward with the release."

After Kardashian filed suit last month, Vivid announced that they would temporarily halt production. The company feels confident that they have a legal right to distribute the DVD of the video. They paid an unidentified third party $1 million for rights to the tape, which was made three years ago.

Vivid promises a new preview clip will be available next week on www.kimksuperstar.com.

Despite the lawsuit, Hirsch tells TMZ he is still a huge fan of Kim's. "Kim has all of the qualities that we look for in a Vivid Girl. She's both beautiful and well-spoken which is a rare combination. In fact, if she was a Vivid Girl I might have cast her as 'Debbie' in our 'Debbie Does Dallas...Again' TV series which debuts [Friday] night at 11pm on Showtime." Nice plug Steve.

TMZ has learned that the porno company that owns Kim Kardashian and Ray-J's controversial sex tape has agreed to halt distribution of the video ... for now. Sigh.

In a statement to TMZ, Vivid Entertainment says that "Kim Superstar" will go on "temporary hold," while they attempt to work things out with Kardashian in person. "We feel that it is most important that we have an opportunity to meet with Ms. Kardashian as soon as possible. We have reached out to her to try and set up a meeting."

Vivid claims they purchased the tape from a third party for a whopping $1 million, and firmly believe that they have a "legal right to distribute the video."