The Kardashians

Caitlyn Jenner's former decathlon teammate -- who competed for Team USA with Bruce in the '76 Olympics -- says he's struggling to "compute" the whole Jenner situation ... but still considers her a friend.

TMZ Spoke with Fred Dixon ... who reunited with "Bruce" at his 64th birthday party last year (a reunion featured on "Keeping Up with the Kardashians").

Dixon was extremely honest when we asked if he'd seen the new cover of Vanity Fair .... saying, "Bruce was one of the best athletes who ever existed. Now, to see that photo ... somehow it doesn't compute."

"I look at it and I don't understand it. I'm not in any way judging him ... but it's very different."

For the record, Jenner told Diane Sawyer he expected some of his old friends to feel this way ... and understands -- "Some people will get it, some people won’t get it, it’s OK."

As for Fred, he says the bottom line is simple -- "The soul that was and is Bruce Jenner is still my friend. I don't understand what's going on now ... but he's still my friend."

If you’re wondering where Caitlyn Jenner picked up that sexy satin corset for her big cover reveal, look no further than West Hollywood’s Trashy Lingerie.

We found out Jenner’s stylist went to the famous lingerie shop three weeks ago looking for a specific type of corset. We’re told the stylist bought 3 corsets for the VF cover shoot – 2 satin ones that lace up the back, and 1 lacy number that was special ordered.

The shop’s plain, satin nude Edy Corset won top honor, along with matching high-waisted panties … in a size large. The cup size? A healthy 36B.

The stylist dropped $1,030 total for all three looks.

Caitlyn Jenner will make her first major public appearance at one of the biggest events in all of sports -- The ESPYS -- where she's set to receive one of the highest honors the network hands out.

Jenner -- who was an Olympic champion back when she was a he -- says ESPN has chosen her as the winner of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

According to ESPN, the award is given to those who truly personify the spirit of tennis great Arthur Ashe -- someone who shows "strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost."

Previous winners include Muhammad Ali, Stuart Scott, Jim Valvano, Robin Roberts, Nelson Mandela and Michael Sam.

The ESPYS are set to go down in L.A. on July 15th -- and Caitlyn, along with her 10 children and stepchildren, are expected to be on stage when she gets the award.

Caitlyn Jenner did not spell her first name with a "K" because she wants a clean break from the Kardashian moniker ... TMZ has learned.

Sources closely associated with Bruce tell us Caitlyn wants to make it clear to her family and the world ... she is her own person. That sounds obvious, but we're told it was an extremely meaningful choice for her ... she has never been her own person before, and becoming part of the Kardashian brood would undermine her goal.

Caitlyn Jenner did not want the world to see a demure version of herself ... she chose a sexy photo because once the shock wears off, people will be more accepting.

Sources closely associated with Caitlyn tell TMZ, she gave a lot of thought to her first public image. She felt if she posed in something modest, like a dress, people would not be satisfied and the mystery would prevent her from leading any kind of a normal life.

We're told Caitlyn chose an extremely sexy, revealing outfit because now that the public's curiosity is satisfied, it will not be a shock when she goes out in normal streetwear.

Kim Kardashian will be giving birth this winter ... because TMZ has learned she is three months pregnant.

According to our sources, Kim conceived some time in March ... which means she should be popping out a little West in December.

In Sunday night's "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," psychic John Edward told Kim he saw something with the number three, but wasn't sure what it meant. We're told Kim's a believer and thinks it means getting pregnant the third month of the year.

As for the mother-to-be, Kim was seen out Sunday afternoon in New York City.

BTW ... how awesome if they named the kid South West.

North West is going to be a big sister ... Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are expecting baby #2.

After struggling to conceive, Kim made the big announcement Sunday night during "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

North was born on June 15, 2013, several weeks before her due date. Kanye and Kim have been trying for a second child for some time ... visiting several different specialists and fertility doctors.

No word yet on how far along she is or the sex of the baby.

Kim Kardashian will give you a foundation for life ... for a thousand bucks.

Get this ... she's giving a class on makeup ... not at a junior college, not at a beauty school. Kim is filling the 3,000 seat Pasadena Civic Center auditorium for a 4 1/2 hour class on July 25.

Her contribution to the class is basically sitting in a chair while makeup guru Mario Dedvanovic does his thing on her.

The best seats go for $1k, but there's a bonus. You get a pic with the finished product.

As for the cheap seats ... they ain't that cheap -- $500.

Kim K ... the great concealer.

Nicole Scherzinger made it clear without saying a word ... her ex-BF may be with Kendall Jenner but he's missing out on a lot.

Our photog practically tripped over his tongue when he spotted the 36-year-old leaving The Sayers Club in Hollywood. He mentions Nicole's former BF, Formula 1 champ Lewis Hamilton, but mum's the word.

As we reported, all signs point to Lewis hooking up with 19-year-old Kendall, but at nearly twice Kendall's age ... Nicole's gotta still make Lewis think about his choices.

Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and other hot chicks worthy of being objectified -- and probably expecting it -- spent several days playing around in skimpy bikinis ... on a giant yacht.

Why are you still reading this? Watch the damn video!

Bruce Jenner says the adult stepchildren of the woman who died in his Malibu car crash don't deserve a SINGLE PENNY from him ... because they didn't lose anything when she died.

Jenner just responded to the stepkids -- 57-year-old William and 60-year-old Dana -- in new legal docs ... saying their thin family connection does NOT give them the right to sue for wrongful death.

Long story short ... Jenner says William and Dana are grown ass adults that never depended on their stepmom Kim Howe to pay for essential things in their lives ... such as food, shelter, clothing or medical treatment.

Jenner says the accident was a "terrible tragedy" -- but says it's not an excuse for William and Dana to cash in on Kim's death.

TMZ broke the story ... Kim had no relationship with her stepkids, and that her friends say she hadn't spoken with them in years.

Jenner is asking the court to throw out the case. Stay tuned.

Khloe Kardashian did something totally bizarre for her family -- she covered up her entire face -- and still managed to stir controversy in the Middle East.

Of course, some fans saw it the other way, and defended her for doing the right thing in a foreign country.

Seems a little unfair -- if she hadn't worn it, the people defending her would be attacking her and vice versa.

One possible solution for Khloe -- don't post photos?

Lamar Odom is finally saying it on camera -- he still thinks a reunion with Khloe Kardashian is possible ... which seems to explain why their divorce is on hold.

Lamar dropped the bombshell in Santa Monica on Monday -- the photog asked if there's a chance they'll get back together, and LO responded, "Of course."

There's more ... he goes on to say KK is "still my girl," and the audio is a little low, but we're pretty sure he added ... "That's my wife."

He ain't lying. Although Khloe filed divorce docs in December 2013 -- there's been no movement on either of their parts for more than a year. As TMZ first told you ... a judge is threatening to dismiss the divorce filing due to lack of action.

Watch ... Lamar's saying exactly what our sources say -- right now, all signs point to NO divorce.

Also interesting -- Lamar's out on the social scene again. He hit up DBA nightclub in Hollywood last night. No evidence though he was dancing the way Khloe did in Vegas.

Kris Jenner is so cunning she now wants a legal lock on the very name that has been sometimes used to disparage her ... momager!

We found out Kris has filed legal docs to trademark the name "momager" in the world of entertainment, which means anyone else who wants to use the description would need her permission, or else she could sue them.

It looks like she'll get what she's gunning for, because Kris has already locked down trademarks for the term "momager" for personal management services and for use in her reality show.

Apparently, Kris doesn't like imitators like Dina Lohan and Tina Knowles.

They've been warned.

Khloe Kardashain was a real trap queen ... and at least one guy was more than happy to fall into the trap when she put her best assets backward in Las Vegas.

The most recent KK sis to go platinum was at 1 OAK nightclub when a guy -- who seems to be a friend with major benefits -- danced up and invited Khloe to get closer.

Let's just say Khloe, and her ass, are loving the single life.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are in the clear, because they won't have to return any wedding gifts now that they've just hit their 1-year anniversary!

Everyone we've spoken to says the same thing ... they are as solid as sold can be. It appears both of them are in Calabasas to celebrate, along with North West.

A far cry from Kim's 72-day marriage to what's his name.