Vivid Ceases Sale of Kardashian Video; <i>Toastee</i>, <i>Olivia</i> Titles Delayed

Vivid Entertainment Group announced today that it will cease shipping its controversial celebrity sex tape Kim Kardashian Superstar to retailers across the country as of May 31.

"After several conversations with Ms. Kardashian we have decided to stop selling the DVD after May 31st," said Steven Hirsch, co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment. "We have always believed we have the right to sell the tape, but I've made a personal decision to suspend sales."

Ms. Kardashian, daughter of O.J. Simpson lawyer Robert Kardashian and a close friend of Paris Hilton, claimed she had not authorized release of the video, for which Vivid had paid an unidentified third party $1-million. As part of her commitment to drop the suit, Ms. Kardashian agreed to a lump sum financial settlement for the sale of the DVDs.

Hirsch additionally confirmed to AVN.com that the company has delayed the release of another video in its Vivid Celeb line, Toastee Exposed due to legal issues. The title is now tentatively scheduled to arrive in June.

"We expect to have the legal situation with Toastee Exposed resolved soon," Hirsch said. 

Shortly after Vivid announced its acquisition of the video starring VH1 reality-show contestant Jennifer "Toastee" Toof (Flavor of Love, Charm School) gonzo studio Red Light District sent a cease-and-desist letter claiming that celebrity image broker David Hans Schmidt had already confirmed a first-look deal on the property with RLD.

Vivid's national sales manager Howard Levine told AVN.com that the company's planned release of Hardcore Idol, a sex video starring American Idol contestant Olivia Mojica, has been delayed. No street date has been set at press time.