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 19 August 2011 and has accumulated more than 1.0 billion 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 "
2012 ceremony
2012 MTV Video Music Awards
What Makes You Beautiful