"It's our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America," she said.

'It's our time': Patricia Arquette made a passionate call for wage equality for women during her Oscar acceptance speech for best supporting actress. Credit:Getty Images

But during her backstage interview, Arquette called specifically on other minority groups to fight for women, in comments that have been viewed by many as insensitive or misplaced, and seemingly ignoring that women from racial minorities in the US are even more affected by the gender wage gap than white women.

"The truth is: even though we sort of feel like we have equal rights in America, right under the surface, there are huge issues that are applied that really do affect women," she said.

"And it's time for all the women in America and all the men that love women, and all the gay people, and all the people of colour that we've all fought for to fight for us now."