WATCH: ‘S.I.’ Swimsuit Model Kate Upton Addresses Rumors She’s Dating Mark Sanchez.

You gotta love Ellen DeGeneres, and her go-for-broke, kamikaze-like interview style. While questioning Sports Illustrated cover model Kate Upton on Thursday’s show, she doesn’t bother inquiring whether the rumors are true about Upton dating New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Instead, she just jumps into a line of questioning that assumes that truth to be self-evident.

After discussing the SI cover, DeGeneres smoothly segues into her sneak attack. “And your boyfriend, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, how does he feel about this?”

Upton, 19, who hasn’t officially acknowledged that the two are dating, laughs nervously and offers up a silly non sequitur. “Um, I did not have a Valentine’s Day date this year,” she replies.

“OK, so he was busy,” says DeGeneres, undeterred. “So how does your boyfriend Mark Sanchez feel about all this whole Sports Illustrated cover thing? He must be proud, right?”

Several awkward exchanges continue from there, with DeGeneres trying to hold in laughter and Upton trying to sound coy, but looking like a deer caught in headlights. Eventually the blonde bombshell admits that she’s met him. “My sister works for the Jets,” she says. “And she’s been working there for four years. So, I went to all the games.”

“So, now you’re dating him?” asked DeGeneres, which led Upton to finally admit that she’s met him “briefly.”

Thankfully, DeGeneres refrains from mentioning the news reports about Sanchez’s many visits to her New York City apartment. Instead, she skips right to the more pertinent question of how long they’ve been dating. Fully flummoxed, Upton laughs and says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“All right,” said DeGeneres, and turns to the audience. “She’s dating Mark Sanchez.”

DeGeneres’ playful, non-judgmental vibe allows her to get away with these probing questions. While Upton herself has her fierce fans and her equally strident detractors, DeGeneres manages to keep her interview light-hearted. Kudos to Ellen!