<P> The accompanying music video , directed by John Urbano , depicts One Direction spending time on a beach in Malibu , California . The music video was uploaded to YouTube on August 19 , 2011 and has accumulated more than 940 million views since it premiered . The clip garnered the group three MTV Video Music Awards at the 2012 ceremony . One Direction performed the song live on televised shows , at awards ceremonies , and on four of their major concert tours : Up All Night Tour ( 2011 -- 12 ) , Take Me Home Tour ( 2013 ) , Where We Are Tour ( 2014 ) and On the Road Again Tour ( 2015 ) . Harry performed the song his 2017 solo tour . Artists including the Piano Guys have covered `` What Makes You Beautiful '' . </P>
where was one direction what makes you beautiful filmed
Malibu , California